BBC Morning Live’s Rav Wilding has warned of WhatsApp username fraud risks because of the new rule and what to avoid
A BBC security expert has highlighted a significant change coming to WhatsApp users, warning that it could pose a considerable risk. WhatsApp is introducing a feature that will allow people to communicate without needing to disclose their phone number, instead exchanging unique usernames.
However, former detective Rav Wilding cautioned that this could leave people vulnerable by sharing keywords linked to their identity, potentially enabling fraudsters to impersonate them. Appearing on BBC Morning Live, he said: “This is about a rollout that’s coming out to users of WhatsApp where you can actually have a username rather than give out your number. So it could be unique to you a bit like an email address but you give that out.
“The problem that I could potentially see with this, though, is that scammers could use a username which is very similar to a business name, for example, perhaps with a few changes, such as an underscore or swapping an I for a number one or something, and they could use that in order to try and defraud people.
“So it’s just a bit of a word of warning when this is rolled out. Treat it like an email address. Like we say on Morning Live all the time, just really make sure it’s genuine before you react to anything you’ve been sent.”
WhatsApp confirmed the feature is being rolled out globally to the platform’s three billion account holders. The company added that users would be able to remove or change their usernames at any time.
Once fully rolled out, WhatsApp users will be able to connect with one another simply by exchanging usernames. Options to block or report unwanted messages will remain in place.
Usernames are capped at 35 characters and restrictions will be minimal, with the exception of certain high-profile officials and celebrities, whose names will not be made available for others to use.
Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s head of product, said she had heard from users that they didn’t always want to share their phone numbers in order to be in contact with others, particularly in group chats.
She added that she hoped the feature would “give users control over how they choose to show up” on the app.
According to Meta, users will receive a notification once their username has been activated. Those wishing to secure a username on WhatsApp can do so through their account or profile settings within the app.
The option to reserve a username will appear once it becomes available, though this cannot be done via WhatsApp Web or Desktop.
Meta has confirmed that creators, small businesses and organisations will have the opportunity to claim the same username they use on Instagram or Facebook, ensuring consistency across platforms.
However, anyone else wishing to align their WhatsApp username with those held on other Meta platforms will need to link it to their existing accounts through Accounts Centre. Carisa Veliz, a professor at Oxford University and author of Privacy is Power, has remarked: “It is a good feature, but even if it does offer more privacy, remember WhatsApp is not a privacy-friendly app overall.
“It collects much metadata about users for marketing purposes.
“We have to remember that WhatsApp is owned by Meta – one of the tech companies with the worst track records when it comes to privacy.”
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