The username controversy continues to escalate. Following WhatsApp, the Ministry of Technology has now issued notices to Telegram and Signal, questioning their existing username feature.

Username Row: The controversy surrounding the username feature continues to escalate. Following WhatsApp, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has now issued notices to Telegram and Signal, questioning their current username feature.

Additionally, both platforms have been asked what security measures they have taken to prevent username fraud, fake identities and cybercrimes.

Notice to Telegram and Signal

According to news agency PTI, the central government has sought a response from Telegram on the need to continue the username feature on its platform and what security measures have been taken to prevent its misuse.

A day earlier, on Wednesday, the central government had also issued a notice to MeitY regarding WhatsApp's username feature. The government had expressed concern that misuse of the username feature could lead to cybercrimes such as online fraud, fake identities, and digital arrests.

The government issued a notice to Meta and asked questions

The Center has questioned Meta regarding WhatsApp's username feature. It was asked why action should not be taken against WhatsApp under the IT Act and related regulations. However, WhatsApp presented its position on its blog, stating that the username feature protects user privacy and prevents the user from sharing their mobile number with everyone.

What did WhatsApp say about the new feature?

WhatsApp had released FAQs regarding its new 'Username' feature, in which it had said that the 'Username' feature will not be mandatory, but optional.

PC: ABPNews