Rita Deutschbein Managing Editor

July 6, 2026, 12:16 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

With the new feature, users can set a personal identifier to be found and messaged. Although a phone number is still required to create an account, it no longer needs to be disclosed when contacting others.

According to Meta, the model enhances privacy protection. It aims to prevent unnecessary dissemination of phone numbers, especially in conversations with unknown individuals or in business settings. The introduction is gradual and not yet complete.

Initial Tests Raise Security Concerns

Even before the feature is available worldwide, there are concerns about potential security risks. India, in particular, warns of an increase in fraud cases and calls for a temporary halt to the introduction of WhatsApp usernames. India is not alone in these concerns.

Shortly after the reservation phase began, potential vulnerabilities became apparent. A test by the portal “TechCrunch” showed that usernames were available that closely resembled the names of well-known personalities, companies, or government entities. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao also stated on X that he couldn’t reserve his username used on other platforms, even though it is widely associated with him.

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This could make it easier for fraudsters to impersonate well-known personalities or authorities using deceptively similar usernames. The Indian IT Ministry (MeitY) also warns against this. In a letter to WhatsApp, it states that usernames could facilitate fraud, phishing, so-called “digital arrest” scams, and identity theft, as criminals could contact users without revealing their phone numbers.

The ministry therefore asked WhatsApp to explain why no regulatory measures under Indian IT law should be initiated and demanded that the introduction of the feature be suspended until discussions are concluded. With around 850 million users, India is the largest market for WhatsApp worldwide.

Criticism of India’s approach comes from the digital rights organization Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF). It accuses the Indian IT Ministry of influencing WhatsApp’s design without a clear legal basis. Fraud should be combated through law enforcement—not by authorities deciding on messenger features through letters.

Also interesting: Blocking desired names on WhatsApp–here’s how

Meta Points to Existing Protection Mechanisms

Meta stated it reserves usernames for public figures, authorities, and certain variants of their names so that only the rightful owners can use them. However, Meta did not disclose how it decides which similar-looking or slightly altered names are also protected.

Nonetheless, the company points to additional security measures. These include restrictions on contact requests from unknown users and technical procedures that make systematically trying out possible usernames more difficult.

Meta advises users reserving a username to choose a highly individual identifier. Regardless, messages from seemingly official senders should be critically examined. A username alone is not proof that the account is genuinely associated with the stated person or organization.