India to Establish Uniform Rules for Messaging Platforms
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) is developing common standards for messaging platforms in India. This initiative follows the government's opposition to WhatsApp's proposed username feature, which raised concerns about potential increases in online fraud and impersonation. WhatsApp has 50 crore users in India, making it a significant player in the market. The ministry has issued notices to WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal regarding their username features, seeking to ensure uniformity in regulations. Both WhatsApp and Telegram have submitted responses to the ministry, which are currently under review. The move aims to address regulatory gaps and establish clear rules for messaging services operating under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Published 21 hours ago • 11 Jul 2026, 06:31 AM IST