Will WhatsApp usernames be safe, and how is Meta planning to prevent scams and impersonation?

Meta says WhatsApp’s upcoming username feature will include multiple safeguards to protect users from fake accounts, impersonation and unwanted contact when it rolls out later this year. Users will receive additional context when someone messages them for the first time via a username, including whether the sender is a new account, in their contacts, shares mutual groups, or is based in another country. Meta has also reserved high-profile usernames for legitimate owners, blocked many lookalike handles, limited how many new users an account can contact, restricted repeated username-guessing attempts, and introduced systems to detect suspicious activity. While usernames are designed to improve privacy by allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers, security experts still advise users to stay cautious of unfamiliar accounts. Do you think WhatsApp usernames will improve privacy, or could they create new opportunities for scammers?

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