WhatsApp’s Username Feature: Govt Mulls Uniform Social Media Rules

Amid the ongoing row over WhatsApp’s username feature, the IT ministry (MeitY) is reportedly formulating uniform standards for messaging platforms operating in the country. A government official told Hindustan Times that the common standards will look to oversee social media features and build a “legal backing” for stopping the rollout of such offerings. In effect, the upcoming rules aim to close a regulatory gap that allows rivals to offer the username feature even as the Centre clamps down on