Zoho-backed messaging app Arattai has announced that it will discontinue its username-based account feature in response to India’s evolving regulatory framework governing digital communication platforms. The decision comes shortly after the Centre asked Meta to pause the rollout of WhatsApp’s planned username feature over concerns related to user anonymity, impersonation and online fraud.
Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu confirmed the move in a post on X, stating that Arattai would disable username-based accounts “to comply with the regulatory change.” While no timeline has been announced for the feature’s removal, the company has indicated that it will align with the government’s requirements.
The Centre has expressed concerns that username-based messaging could make it easier for fraudsters to conceal their identities, increasing the risk of cybercrime, impersonation and online scams. As a result, messaging platforms are facing greater scrutiny over identity verification and user safety measures.
Arattai’s decision makes it one of the first messaging platforms to publicly revise its product roadmap in response to the government’s latest regulatory stance. The development signals that India’s tightening digital regulations could influence how messaging apps balance user privacy with accountability and online safety.
