New Delhi, Jul 2: Meta-owned WhatsApp on Wednesday issued a detailed set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) explaining its upcoming username feature, highlighting safeguards against impersonation, scams and unwanted contact as the Centre continues to scrutinise the proposed rollout over fraud concerns.
The clarification comes after the Central government served a notice to Meta, raising concerns over possible misuse of usernames for fraud and impersonation and advising the company not to roll out the feature until consultations are completed to the government’s satisfaction.
The upcoming feature will allow users to create unique usernames to connect on WhatsApp without sharing their phone numbers. WhatsApp, however, clarified that usernames will be optional and cannot be searched by strangers. Users will also have the option to enable a ‘username key’, requiring anyone attempting to contact them to know both the username and the key.
Addressing concerns over identity theft, WhatsApp said well-known names, including those of public figures, celebrities, government entities and Meta-verified accounts, have been reserved and can only be claimed by their legitimate owners. Users who link their Instagram or Facebook accounts will also be able to claim matching usernames to help verify ownership, while retaining the option to unlink those accounts later.
The company said it will closely monitor user reports and blocks to identify and act against scammers. It also warned users against false claims circulating online about reserving popular or well-known usernames, stating that only legitimate account owners will be able to secure protected names.
In its FAQs, WhatsApp clarified that usernames will not be mandatory. If a preferred username is unavailable, it may already belong to an existing Instagram or Facebook account, be reserved for a protected individual or organisation, or have already been claimed by another user. In such cases, users can use the platform’s username generator.
Responding to concerns about impersonation, WhatsApp said usernames are not yet available for messaging. Once the feature is introduced, users receiving messages from someone for the first time will see safety information, including the sender’s country of origin and warning prompts. The platform said these measures, along with monitoring reports and blocks, are intended to reduce scams and misuse.
On privacy, WhatsApp said usernames cannot be searched like phone numbers, making it difficult for strangers to initiate contact. Users can further strengthen protection by enabling the username key and selecting a username unique to WhatsApp. Existing safeguards, including information about unknown senders, shared groups, account age, country details, and options to block or report users, will continue to remain in place.
The company described the username key as an additional security layer that requires another user to know both the username and the key before initiating contact. Users will also be able to reset the key at any time to prevent further inbound contact through their username.
WhatsApp further said linking Instagram or Facebook accounts is optional and required only for users seeking to reserve the same username across Meta platforms. Once ownership is verified, users can unlink those accounts if they wish. It also confirmed that usernames can be changed later, subject to availability.
Reiterating its position, WhatsApp said reservations have been opened ahead of the feature’s launch later this year to allow users time to secure preferred usernames. The company said it is taking a cautious approach, gathering feedback before the wider rollout while maintaining safeguards against impersonation and fraud. (Agencies)
