New Delhi, July 11 (IANS). After the controversy over WhatsApp’s proposed username feature, the central government is considering implementing a common standard for all messaging platforms operating in the country.
According to reports, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is working on creating a common regulatory framework that is equally applicable to all messaging services instead of any single platform.
The initiative comes at a time when the government recently raised objections to WhatsApp’s proposed username feature. Through this feature, users will be able to talk to each other without sharing their mobile numbers.
The government says that this facility can give rise to incidents like cyber criminals misusing people’s identity, online fraud like digital arrest, phishing and impersonation. Additionally, it may also make it more challenging for law enforcement agencies to investigate.
In view of these concerns, the government is now considering implementing uniform rules for all messaging platforms, so that a uniform regulatory framework can be created across the sector.
According to reports, the central government will hold detailed discussions and consultations with major messaging platforms before taking the final decision.
Earlier in July, messaging platform Telegram had also submitted its response to the government notice regarding its username feature. Before this, WhatsApp has also given its reply to the government.
Through the username feature, users can communicate without sharing the mobile number. However, the government fears that this facility could be misused for cyber crimes like online fraud, phishing, fraud by creating fake identities and so-called digital arrest.
The government had issued a notice to WhatsApp last week and expressed serious concern over this feature. Also, the company was instructed not to launch this feature in India until the consultation process with the government is completed and it is satisfied.
WhatsApp’s proposed username feature provides additional privacy to users to communicate without sharing mobile numbers, but the government is now comprehensively evaluating its security aspects.
–IANS
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