Scammers scramble to reserve the best WhatsApp usernames
The new feature raises security concerns.
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- WhatsApp plans to let users connect via usernames instead of phone numbers, but the feature has triggered privacy and safety concerns.
- Critics worry the system could enable impersonation, scams, and phishing, especially if well-known or similar usernames are claimed by the wrong people.
- WhatsApp says only legitimate public figures can reserve notable usernames and that it is reviewing feedback before the full rollout.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
Don’t want to give out your phone number? Scammers may not need it to reach you, thanks to WhatsApp's new username feature.
WhatsApp recently announced that users will soon be able to find each other by their usernames instead of their phone numbers.
The company also encouraged users to reserve their username before the official rollout of the new feature.
After some users were given the option to choose their handle, the feature also raised privacy concerns.
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The concerns were related to impersonation cases, in which a username has already been taken by someone who is not necessarily the intended recipient.
Concerns about possible impersonation were raised in India, WhatsApp’s largest user community, with more than 853 million users.
The test conducted by TechCrunch revealed that some variants of the usernames of politicians, actors, businesspeople, and other well-known figures were still available. The tested variants referred to the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and others.
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However, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao said he couldn’t reserve his username, suggesting that anyone trying to contact others using his name isn’t him and may be a scammer.
According to WhatsApp’s reservation rules, a company, business, or creator can “claim” their username, keeping the same one they use on other social media apps, such as Facebook or Instagram.
However, it’s not clear how the company would reserve these usernames.
Username reservation prompts scams?
“Important safety note. Scammers move faster than new features. A reserved username does not mean it is official,” shared X user @Abrlien, a crypto influencer.
According to TechCrunch, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India (MeitY) already sent a notice to WhatsApp expressing its concern that the feature could be used for online fraud, scams, phishing, and impersonation attacks by allowing users to contact others under fake handles.
The Ministry also asked WhatsApp not to roll out usernames until discussions over this issue are concluded.
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WhatsApp also addressed the issue on X in a FAQ-related post.
“People are making false claims about reserving popular or well-known usernames – this isn't true, only the legitimate account owners are able to reserve well-known public-figure names,” wrote the company.
The company also added that it’s taking the feedback into account before it releases the username feature.