India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has extended its regulatory scrutiny of messaging app username features to Telegram and Signal, a day after ordering WhatsApp to pause its usernames rollout. The notices ask both companies to justify allowing username-based messaging instead of phone numbers and explain safeguards against fraud and impersonation. The move fits a broader Indian regulatory concern about anonymity features enabling scams, phishing, and impersonation of officials. Telegram has prior friction with Indian regulators after a nationwide block over exam paper leaks, while Signal's inclusion is notable given its stricter privacy architecture. Legal observers note the ministry may be stretching Section 79 of the IT Act beyond its intended scope as a liability shield to control app design.
