Messaging platform Telegram has submitted its formal reply to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) regarding the ministry's notice on its 'username' feature, according to sources. The development follows a similar submission by WhatsApp, with the government now examining responses from both platforms. The notices, issued by MeitY in New Delhi, stem from concerns that the feature could be exploited for online fraud and impersonation.

What the Username Feature Does

The 'username' feature enables users to communicate on messaging platforms without disclosing their mobile phone numbers, offering an added layer of privacy. While this appeals to privacy-conscious users, the Centre has flagged that the same anonymity could potentially be weaponised to facilitate online fraud, phishing, impersonation attacks, and so-called digital arrest scams — a category of cybercrime that has seen a sharp rise in India in recent years.

Government's Stance and Directives

MeitY had issued notices to Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal over their respective username features, seeking details on the safeguards each platform has adopted to address fraud and impersonation risks. The ministry also directed WhatsApp not to roll out the feature in India until consultations were completed to the government's satisfaction. IT Secretary S. Krishnan had earlier confirmed the notices, stating, 'We will await the formal response to the notice that we have issued, and thereafter we will take a view based on what the response is.'

What the Government Is Examining

With both Telegram and WhatsApp having now submitted their responses, MeitY is in the process of reviewing the submissions. The ministry has not yet indicated a timeline for its final decision. The government's scrutiny underscores a broader push to ensure that privacy-enhancing features on major platforms do not inadvertently create new vectors for cybercrime targeting Indian users.

Broader Context: Meta Under Scrutiny Too

Separately, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently directed ministry officials to seek an explanation from Meta over the alleged presence of child sexual abuse material in advertisements on Instagram. This signals that MeitY's regulatory attention is not limited to the username controversy but reflects a wider pattern of heightened oversight of major social media and messaging platforms operating in India.

What Happens Next

The government's response to Telegram's and WhatsApp's submissions will determine whether the username feature can be launched in India and under what conditions. Analysts note that the outcome could set a significant precedent for how privacy features on messaging platforms are regulated domestically. Signal's response, if submitted, is also expected to factor into the ministry's final assessment.