Meta has outlined new security measures for WhatsApp’s upcoming username feature, introducing multiple safeguards to reduce impersonation and online scams. The company said only legitimate owners will be able to claim high-profile usernames, while the feature itself will be rolled out gradually later this year.
WhatsApp began allowing users to reserve unique usernames this week, although the ability to use them in chats is not yet available. A WhatsApp spokesperson said, “The ability to use a username is not yet live and will roll out slowly later this year.”
To prevent misuse, Meta said it has reserved usernames belonging to public figures, government entities, celebrities, and verified Meta accounts. The company has also blocked similar-looking username variations to reduce the risk of impersonation.
Explaining the safeguards, the spokesperson said, “Other users need to know the exact username to message you, we will limit how many new people an account can contact, block repeated attempts to guess someone’s username key, and have systems to detect and remove activity showing common impersonation and abuse patterns.”
Meta also clarified that users will still need a phone number to access WhatsApp, with usernames serving as an additional privacy feature rather than replacing mobile numbers.
Once the feature becomes available, WhatsApp will provide additional context when users receive a message from someone for the first time through a username. According to Meta, “We will show you if they’re a new account, if they’re your contact, if you have groups in common, and if they’re based in a different country, so you can decide whether to respond.”
The feature has also attracted the attention of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). According to reports, the ministry has directed Meta not to proceed with the rollout until it provides a detailed explanation of the feature and its implications. The government has reportedly asked the company to submit its response within 3 days while consultations continue.
The move follows concerns that similar-looking usernames could be misused for impersonation, cyber fraud, and other online scams. Technology experts have also warned that malicious actors may attempt to exploit deceptive usernames to target users.
With more than 600 million WhatsApp users, India remains the platform’s largest market, making regulatory discussions in the country significant for the global rollout of the new username feature.
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