<p>The Central government is considering introducing common regulatory standards for messaging platforms operating in India following the controversy surrounding <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/whatsapp-responds-to-centres-notice-on-username-feature-as-it-ministry-reviews-privacy-concerns-23639118" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">WhatsApp's</a> proposed username feature, according to multiple reports.</p>
<p>The proposed framework is aimed at creating a uniform regulatory approach for messaging services rather than taking platform-specific decisions.</p>
<p>According to the reports, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is examining the possibility of applying common standards across all messaging platforms to address concerns related to user safety, fraud prevention and regulatory compliance.</p>
<h2>Username feature raises concerns over online fraud</h2>
<p>The move comes after the government raised objections to WhatsApp's proposed username feature, which would allow users to communicate without sharing their mobile phone numbers.</p>
<p>While the feature is designed to provide users with greater privacy, the government has expressed concerns that it could make it easier for fraudsters to impersonate individuals, carry out phishing attacks, facilitate so-called digital arrest scams and complicate law enforcement investigations.</p>
<p>Officials are now considering whether similar standards should apply to all <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/maharashtra-government-approves-decision-to-send-disciplinary-action-documents-to-employees-by-e-mail-and-whatsapp-23557452" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">messaging platforms</a> offering comparable features.</p>
<h2>Government to consult messaging platforms</h2>
<p>According to reports, the Centre plans to hold consultations with major messaging platforms before finalising any regulatory framework.</p>
<p>The objective is to develop a common set of standards that balances user privacy with public safety and enables law enforcement agencies to effectively investigate cybercrime.</p>
<p>The proposed framework is expected to apply uniformly across messaging services operating in the country if approved.</p>
<h2>WhatsApp and Telegram submit responses</h2>
<p>Earlier this month, WhatsApp submitted its response to the government's notice regarding its proposed username feature.</p>
<p>The Centre had asked the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/tech/tech-news/article/whatsapp-plus-rolls-out-for-ios-users-with-premium-themes-and-custom-features-23629962" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Meta-owned platform</a> not to roll out the feature in India until consultations with the government were completed.</p>
<p>Telegram has also submitted its response after receiving a similar notice from the government over its username-based functionality.</p>
<p>The username feature allows users to communicate without disclosing their mobile phone numbers, a capability that has drawn scrutiny from the government over concerns that it could be misused for online fraud, phishing attacks, impersonation and digital arrest scams.</p>
<h2>Government yet to take final decision</h2>
<p>Officials said no final decision has been taken on the proposed regulatory framework, and consultations with stakeholders are expected before any policy is introduced.</p>
<p>The government is examining responses received from messaging platforms while assessing measures that seek to protect user privacy without compromising cyber security, fraud prevention and law enforcement requirements.</p>
<p><strong>(With inputs from IANS)</strong></p>

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The proposed framework is aimed at creating a uniform regulatory approach for messaging services rather than taking platform-specific decisions

Govt mulls common standards for messaging platforms after WhatsApp username row

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