WhatsApp’s feature stirs debate: From impersonation fears to usernames already taken

WhatsApp’s proposed username feature has raised concerns among experts and users, who believe the new offering could trigger a surge in impersonation, spoofing, and financial fraud.

Analysts caution that moving to platform-managed identities removes a crucial layer of accountability. Some users, like MobiKwik CEO Bipin Preet Singh, found that close variations of their names were already taken up during the early username reservation phase.