The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued notices to messaging platforms Telegram and Signal, raising concerns over the risks of online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams, and impersonation attacks enabled by their username systems. The government has questioned the companies on how they are addressing these security threats.
Government questions platform safeguards
According to a senior official in the ministry, the notices were sent earlier this week, seeking detailed responses from both Telegram and Signal. The ministry specifically pointed out that the username features on these platforms allow users to be contacted without sharing phone numbers, which can be exploited by malicious actors for fraudulent activities.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The government is concerned that these username systems are being misused for cyber crimes, including impersonation of government officials and digital arrests. We have asked the companies to explain what measures they have in place to prevent such misuse.”
Rising cyber fraud cases prompt action
The move comes amid a surge in cyber fraud cases in India, where scammers often impersonate law enforcement or tax officials to extort money. In many instances, victims report being contacted via messaging apps like Telegram and Signal, where the caller ID or username appears legitimate.
Data from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) shows that over 1.2 million cyber fraud complaints were filed in 2025, with a significant portion involving impersonation on messaging platforms. The government has been under pressure to tighten regulations on digital communication services.
Platforms respond to notices
Telegram and Signal have acknowledged receipt of the notices and are preparing their responses. A Telegram spokesperson said: “Telegram has robust measures to combat abuse, including reporting mechanisms and proactive monitoring. We will cooperate fully with the Indian government.”
Signal, known for its strong encryption and privacy features, also stated its commitment to user safety. A Signal representative commented: “We take these concerns seriously and will provide the requested information to the ministry.”
Broader regulatory push on messaging apps
The notices to Telegram and Signal are part of a broader government effort to regulate messaging platforms under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The rules require intermediaries to enable identification of the first originator of a message and to have mechanisms to prevent unlawful content.
Earlier this year, the ministry had also issued similar notices to WhatsApp regarding its username feature, which was introduced in beta testing. WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has not yet rolled out the feature widely in India.
The government’s action highlights the ongoing tension between user privacy and security concerns. While username features offer convenience and privacy by masking phone numbers, they also create new vectors for cyber crime.
