National, July 16: The Centre is examining legal options, including possible sanctions against WhatsApp and Telegram, after both messaging platforms responded to government notices over their username features, sources said. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is reviewing the replies and assessing the legal provisions that may be invoked before taking a final decision. A formal notification is expected after the review is completed.
MeitY had earlier issued a notice to Meta seeking a detailed explanation of WhatsApp’s proposed username feature and directed the company to pause its rollout in India until consultations are completed, citing concerns over user privacy, online safety and the potential for misuse. As scrutiny of the feature increased, the ministry also served a similar notice on Telegram.
Earlier this month, Meta representatives met MeitY officials to discuss the government’s concerns. During the meeting, officials highlighted the potential risks related to privacy, user safety and the possibility of misuse of the feature, sources said.
The proposed username system has drawn criticism from internet users and cybersecurity experts, who argue that it could facilitate impersonation by allowing cybercriminals to create usernames resembling those of individuals, organisations or government agencies, thereby increasing the risk of fraud.
Meta has described the feature as an optional, unique identifier beginning with the “@” symbol that enables users to receive messages and calls without sharing their phone numbers. The company said usernames are separate from display names, which remain visible on profiles and do not need to be unique.
According to Meta, users who do not have a contact’s phone number saved will see that person’s username by default in direct messages, calls and group chats. The company also said that certain usernames will be reserved for businesses, government entities and public figures to prevent impersonation.
