The Indian government has officially escalated its oversight of messaging platforms by issuing notices to both Telegram and Signal. Officials are demanding clarity on the security measures these apps employ regarding features that allow users to communicate without disclosing their phone numbers. This move follows a similar directive recently issued to WhatsApp, signaling a broader government effort to curb potential risks like digital fraud, phishing, and impersonation, which authorities fear are exacerbated by anonymous interactions.

This regulatory push marks a significant shift in how India polices digital services, moving from blanket app bans to granular inspections of individual product features. While the IT ministry seeks to hold these platforms accountable for user safety, the strategy has faced pushback from digital rights advocates like the Internet Freedom Foundation. Critics argue that the government’s intervention lacks a clear legal basis and could potentially undermine protected speech, particularly for users of encrypted services like Signal who rely on anonymity for privacy and safety.