WhatsApp clarifies username rules amid Centre’s fraud concerns

Meta-owned WhatsApp has released a detailed set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on its proposed username feature, outlining the safeguards it plans to introduce against impersonation, scams and unwanted contact as users begin reserving usernames.

The clarification comes after the Centre issued a notice to Meta, raising concerns over potential fraud and impersonation risks and cautioning against rolling out the feature until consultations on the matter are completed “to the satisfaction of the government”.

The new feature will allow users to create unique usernames to connect on WhatsApp without sharing their phone numbers.

According to the FAQs, usernames will be optional and cannot be searched by strangers. Users will also be able to enable a ‘username key’, requiring both the username and the key before someone can initiate contact.

WhatsApp said well-known names, including those of public figures, celebrities, government entities and Meta-verified accounts, have been reserved so they can only be claimed by legitimate owners.

The company added that users linking their Instagram or Facebook accounts can claim matching usernames to help verify ownership, while retaining the option to unlink those accounts later.

The messaging platform also said it will monitor ‘blocks’ and ‘reports’ to take action against scammers and warned that claims about reserving popular or well-known usernames are false. It maintained that only legitimate account owners can claim protected names.

The company addressed several questions in its FAQ document:

Q: Are usernames mandatory?

A: Nope, they are optional.

Q: What if the username I want isn’t available?

A: There’s a few reasons you might not be able to reserve the username you want:

1. It’s an existing Instagram or Facebook username; these are reserved for their owners.

2. We’ve held well-known names and some variations of them — like public figures, celebrities, government entities and Meta-verified accounts – so they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners. If you try to reserve those, the system will say it’s not available.

3. Someone already claimed a common name, in that case use the username generator.

Q: What if someone creates a username similar to mine to impersonate me or run a scam, how do you stop someone from pretending to be me?

A: Usernames are not available for messaging yet. When they are, and you get a message from someone new, we’ll let you know the country origin, and a warning for first time outreach. Well-known public-figure names and their variations are held for verified owners. We’re also keeping a close eye on blocks and reports to take action against scammers.

Q: Can random people message me if they know or guess my username?

A: Just like you can’t search for a phone number in WhatsApp, you can’t search for a username. The best way to prevent someone from contacting you is to add a username key and to choose a username that is unique to WhatsApp.

All the current measures remain in place to prevent unwanted contact, including warnings with details about unknown senders (whether they’re a new account, if you share groups, what country they’re in) and the ability to block and report.

Q: What is a username key?

A: An extra layer of protection you can enable with your username, so that another user will have to know both your username and your username key to contact you. You can reset your key at any time to stop new inbound contact through your username.

Q: Do I have to link my other Meta accounts?

A:If you want the same username as your Instagram or Facebook account, you’ll have to link them. This is one of the ways to reduce impersonation and to make sure you’re the legitimate owner of the account. But after that, you can unlink the account if you want, or you can choose a username unique to WhatsApp.

Q: Can I change my username later?

A: Yes, as long as the new one you want is available.

WhatsApp also reiterated that claims about reserving popular or well-known usernames are incorrect.

“A few more things to keep in mind…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,” the company said.

“We enabled reservations before usernames launch later this year because we think people will feel strongly about what username they want on WhatsApp. We’re taking our time and listening to feedback so that when it rolls out later this year we get it right.”