The Centre has stepped up its oversight of digital messaging platforms, issuing a notice to Telegram over the widespread circulation of pirated films and OTT content while also expanding scrutiny of the ‘username’ feature introduced by Telegram, Signal and WhatsApp.
According to reports quoting sources, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has directed Telegram to take immediate steps to curb digital piracy on its platform. The messaging service has been asked to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days, outlining measures adopted to prevent the illegal distribution of copyrighted content.
The move is aimed at protecting India’s growing creator economy and safeguarding the interests of the film industry, broadcasters, OTT platforms, producers and distributors, who continue to suffer significant financial losses due to online piracy.
At the same time, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has widened its scrutiny of messaging platforms by issuing notices to Telegram, Signal and Meta over the rollout of username-based messaging features.
Telegram and Signal have been asked to explain the safeguards built into their username systems to prevent impersonation and misuse, while Meta has received a separate notice over WhatsApp’s proposed username feature.
The Centre has raised concerns that usernames could facilitate online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and identity spoofing by allowing malicious actors to impersonate individuals, public authorities, financial institutions and government agencies.
In its notice, the government directed Meta not to roll out the feature until consultations with the Centre are completed to its satisfaction. It has also sought a detailed explanation within three days, warning that regulatory action could be initiated under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Meta, however, has maintained that the username feature is optional and that the platform has built multiple layers of protection against scams and misuse.
