Ankur Warikoo warns of WhatsApp username feature: ‘This could be a disaster’ | Today’s news
Entrepreneur and author Ankur Warikoo has raised concerns about WhatsApp’s upcoming username feature, warning that while the update is expected to strengthen user privacy, it could also create new opportunities for impersonation scams if adequate safeguards are not put in place.
The feature, which is currently in development, will allow users to create and reserve unique usernames, allowing them to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers. The change is positioned as a privacy-focused update, but Warikoo believes it could also make it easier for fraudsters to impersonate public figures and target unsuspecting users.
Read also | WhatsApp Usernames: Implications for India’s SIM-Tethering Plan
Warikoo shared his concerns in a post on X, saying the feature could pose a significant risk in India if WhatsApp doesn’t implement strong anti-abuse systems.
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
WhatsApp usernames allow users to identify themselves without revealing their phone numbers. Users must know the exact username to initiate contact, and there will be no directory to browse usernames.
Ankur Warikoo warns that the username feature could lead to impersonation scams if adequate safeguards are not put in place to prevent abuse, especially in India where such scams are prevalent.
To reserve a username on WhatsApp, users need to wait for the official launch of the feature, then update the app, go to Settings, click on Account and select Username and select the desired username.
WhatsApp will reserve usernames already in use on its platforms for existing owners and will protect usernames associated with celebrities and public figures to prevent impersonation.
While usernames increase privacy by allowing communication without sharing phone numbers, users should remain cautious as similar usernames can still allow fraudsters to impersonate others.
“It could be a disaster in a country like India if WhatsApp doesn’t put in place the right anti-abuse systems,” he wrote.
Explaining his concerns, Warikoo said that fraudsters could create usernames very similar to those of celebrities to trick people into sending money or joining fraudulent investment groups.
“Imagine you get a message from warikoo / awarikoo / ankurwarikoo / ankur_warikoo / a_warikoo / ankurwarikooofficial etc. etc. – asking for money.
Most people don’t understand verified state (even if and when it runs)
Cannot verify by calling a phone number (because username = privacy),” he said.
Read also | WhatsApp will allow users to reserve usernames from next week
Warikoo said his concerns are rooted in personal experience and recalled his legal battle against Meta over the company’s handling of fraudulent AI-generated ads.
“I fought a legal battle against Meta’s failure to suppress AI-generated ads that showed my face and lured people into WhatsApp investment groups. I understand how massive this scam is and how easy it is to pull it off in our country.”
So forgive me if, from a public figure’s point of view, this function raises serious concerns,” he added.
Read also | WhatsApp users can soon choose usernames instead of sharing phone numbers
WhatsApp privacy update
The upcoming feature is expected to allow users to communicate using unique usernames instead of their phone numbers, offering an extra layer of privacy, especially when interacting with people outside of their contact list.
To support the rollout, WhatsApp has also released guidelines detailing how users can choose valid usernames. Depending on the platform, each username will need to be unique and meet naming requirements.
The feature was widely seen as a significant privacy improvement, especially for users who don’t want to reveal their mobile numbers when chatting online.
Users divided into a new function
Warikoo’s post also sparked a wider discussion on social media, with several users expressing concern about possible misuse of usernames.
One user wrote: “Usernames are a great privacy feature, but how does WhatsApp deal with scammers? If someone just uses a username to scam people, users won’t even know their phone number. I hope there are strong verification, reporting and enforcement mechanisms to prevent abuse.”
Others welcomed the update, saying it addresses longstanding privacy concerns.
“What a great innovation! Not using someone’s personal phone number as a public identifier for your account! Brilliant!” one user commented.
Another user took aim at preferred username security, writing: “This is massive. Let me know when it starts so I can quickly pick my username before someone steals it.”
The upcoming feature is expected to mark one of WhatsApp’s biggest privacy-focused changes in recent years. While supporters say usernames will reduce the need to share personal phone numbers, Warikoo’s comments highlighted the challenge of balancing privacy with security against impersonation and online fraud as the feature rolls out.
