Government Scrutinises Messaging Apps Over New ‘Username’ Feature

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) sent formal letters to the heads of several popular messaging services, seeking clarity on a feature that’s been quietly introduced on many platforms – the ability for users to set a public username.

The move has raised eyebrows across the tech community. While companies argue the feature is meant to simplify contact‑finding and reduce the reliance on phone numbers, regulators worry it could open a back‑door for anonymous propaganda and illegal content.

WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and a few home‑grown Indian apps were all named in the correspondence. In each case, officials asked for a detailed explanation: How is the username generated? Can it be changed? What safeguards exist to prevent misuse? And most importantly, how will law‑enforcement agencies be able to trace a user if the username becomes the primary identifier?

“The introduction of usernames, while technically useful, may also undermine our ongoing efforts to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech,” said a senior MeitY official who preferred to remain unnamed. “We need to ensure that any new tool does not become a loophole for those seeking to hide behind a digital mask.”

WhatsApp, which recently rolled out the feature in a beta phase, replied that usernames are optional and can be linked to the user’s existing phone number, making it possible for authorities to request data under the existing legal framework. Telegram’s response highlighted that usernames are already a core part of its platform, but they are not tied to personal identifiers unless the user chooses to share them.

Signal, on the other hand, emphasized its privacy‑by‑design philosophy, stating that usernames are merely aliases and do not replace the encrypted phone‑number verification that underpins its security model. “We have no intention of compromising user anonymity,” the company wrote.

Experts suggest that the government’s probe could lead to stricter guidelines or even a moratorium on the feature until a robust accountability mechanism is in place. “We’ve seen how quickly misinformation spreads on platforms where users can hide behind a name,” noted Dr. Ananya Gupta, a digital policy researcher at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. “If usernames become the default, it could make tracking the source of false narratives far more challenging.”

Meanwhile, users have expressed mixed feelings. Some appreciate the convenience of reaching out without sharing personal numbers, especially in professional contexts. Others, however, fear the erosion of privacy and the potential for increased harassment under a pseudonym.

The Ministry has given the platforms a deadline of 30 days to submit their detailed responses. Depending on the feedback, the next steps could range from issuing a set of compliance guidelines to drafting new legislation that specifically addresses digital identifiers beyond phone numbers.

For now, the tech world watches closely, aware that the outcome could shape how identity is managed on messaging apps across the subcontinent for years to come.