WhatsApp’s Username Feature: Govt Mulls Uniform Social Media Rules

Amid the ongoing row over WhatsApp’s username feature, the IT ministry (MeitY) is reportedly formulating uniform standards for messaging platforms operating in the country. 

A government official told Hindustan Times that the common standards will look to oversee social media features and build a “legal backing” for stopping the rollout of such offerings. In effect, the upcoming rules aim to close a regulatory gap that allows rivals to offer the username feature even as the Centre clamps down on WhatsApp and Telegram over similar offerings. 

“We are also looking at bringing in common standards for messaging platforms so there is legal backing for such decisions. It cannot be that we stop one platform from rolling out a feature while allowing others to continue offering the same thing. The rules have to be uniform for everyone. We will discuss this with all messaging platforms before taking a final decision,” the official reportedly said.

According to the official, the IT ministry also reportedly plans to oppose WhatsApp’s username feature over concerns related to impersonation, online frauds and digital arrest scams.

“We are not in favour of WhatsApp introducing this feature. Given its massive user base in India, usernames could make impersonation, digital arrest scams, online fraud and even investigations by law enforcement more difficult,” the official reportedly added.

The development comes barely a day after both WhatsApp and Telegram submitted their respective replies to MeitY’s notices. The Centre is said to be examining both responses. Messaging platform Signal, which also received the notice on July 3, is reportedly yet to reply. 

On the other hand, SaaS major Zoho’s messaging platform Arattai informed users that it was disabling its username-based feature “to comply with the regulatory change.”

What’s The Contentious Feature?

The development comes nearly two weeks after Meta announced the phased global rollout of its username feature, which would allow users to reserve a unique handle and communicate without sharing their phone numbers. 

The social media giant argued that usernames would reduce phone-number harvesting from group chats, limit exposure to SIM-swap attacks and give users greater control over who can contact them. 

The company also said it has reserved usernames for public figures, government entities, celebrities and verified Meta accounts so they can only be claimed by legitimate owners, while also blocking lookalike variations to reduce impersonation risks.

Meta also clarified that users will still need a phone number to create and use a WhatsApp account.

But within 48 hours, MeitY issued a notice to Meta and sought a detailed explanation of its proposed username feature. It also directed the social media giant to not roll out the feature in India until consultations are completed to its satisfaction. 

During a subsequent meeting with Meta representatives, MeitY officials flagged their concerns over the proposed feature, and also sought details on the safeguards built into the offering.

Afterwards, the scrutiny also expanded beyond WhatsApp, with MeitY issuing similar notices to Telegram and Signal over their respective username-based messaging platforms. 

What’s The Centre’s Stand? 

In its notice, the government asked Meta to explain why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and the IT Rules over WhatsApp’s proposed feature.

According to MeitY, the proposed username feature, instead of visible phone numbers, could make it easier for cybercriminals to contact victims anonymously. They fear this will increase the risk of phishing, impersonation, financial fraud and digital arrest scams.

The government also reminded Meta that WhatsApp, as a Significant Social Media Intermediary (SSMI), is required to comply with due diligence obligations under the IT Act and related rules.

The Centre’s contention is not without its merit. The country continues to grapple with rising cybercrimes, with Indians losing ₹22,495 Cr in 2025, prompting a wider debate over whether username-based identities improve privacy or make online fraud harder to trace.

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