After WhatsApp, Centre Sends Notices to Telegram and Signal Over Username Feature

The Central government has widened its scrutiny of messaging platforms by issuing notices to Telegram and Signal over their username feature , just a day after asking Meta-owned WhatsApp to pause the rollout of a similar feature. The move highlights the government's growing concern that such features, while designed to improve user privacy, could also increase the risk of online fraud, phishing, impersonation, and digital arrest scams if not backed by strong security measures.

According to official sources, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has sought detailed explanations from Telegram and Signal on how they prevent misuse of usernames and protect users from cybercriminals. In Telegram's case, the government has reportedly gone a step further by asking why the platform should be allowed to continue offering the feature, which enables users to connect without sharing their phone numbers.

The Centre's latest action comes after it issued a notice to WhatsApp , expressing concern that the proposed username feature could materially increase cybercrime by allowing fraudsters to contact users without revealing their identities. The government also directed WhatsApp to keep the feature on hold until consultations with authorities are completed.

Officials have clarified that the situations involving WhatsApp and Telegram are different. While WhatsApp has only announced the feature and is yet to roll it out, Telegram has supported username based communication for years. The scale of usage also differs significantly. India is WhatsApp's largest market , with more than 500 million users , making any platform level changes far more consequential.

Responding to the government's concerns, WhatsApp has maintained that the feature includes multiple safeguards to prevent scams, impersonation, and unwanted contact . The company also released detailed FAQs explaining how usernames would function and the security protections that would accompany the rollout.

Telegram , meanwhile, has been under increased regulatory scrutiny in recent months over concerns related to fraud, impersonation, and the circulation of sensitive content . Earlier this year, the government temporarily banned Telegram and its associated web services for a week, citing its failure to curb the spread of leaked and fake NEET examination papers and other misleading content. Services resumed after the temporary ban expired.

The latest notices signal the government's broader effort to ensure that privacy enhancing features on messaging platforms do not come at the cost of user safety . As cyber fraud continues to evolve, authorities are pushing technology companies to strengthen safeguards while balancing privacy, security, and accountability in the digital ecosystem.