India questions Telegram, Signal over username features
India issued notices to Telegram and Signal under the IT Act, seeking safety assessments of username features and safeguards against impersonation and fraud.
India this week issued notices to Telegram and Signal under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, requesting detailed safety assessments of username-based features. Authorities cited risks of impersonation and fraud and asked the companies to explain technical and policy safeguards.
The notices focus on whether anonymous or pseudonymous usernames and the ability to communicate without sharing phone numbers could be used to commit scams or obstruct law enforcement. Officials requested documentation on technical and policy controls to prevent impersonation, abusive behaviour and unsolicited contact, and on procedures for responding to legal or investigative requests.
Telegram already uses usernames as a core identity layer, while Signal offers an optional username feature. Regulators previously examined similar username proposals from WhatsApp. WhatsApp told regulators it had implemented safeguards, including controls over allocation of high-profile usernames, limits on unsolicited messages from unknown users and systems intended to detect impersonation and abusive accounts.
Sridhar Vembu, co-founder of Zoho, confirmed that Arattai, Zoho’s messaging app, will disable username-based account features to comply with regulatory changes.
The review remains active as officials examine responses from the companies. Regulators have asked firms for further technical documentation and evidence of safety controls and will complete their assessment before issuing guidance or approvals. No final decision or timeline has been announced for any wider rollout of username systems in India.
The material on GNcrypto is intended solely for informational use and must not be regarded as financial advice. We make every effort to keep the content accurate and current, but we cannot warrant its precision, completeness, or reliability. GNcrypto does not take responsibility for any mistakes, omissions, or financial losses resulting from reliance on this information. Any actions you take based on this content are done at your own risk. Always conduct independent research and seek guidance from a qualified specialist. For further details, please review our Terms, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers.
Articles by this author
