WhatsApp discloses extra security feature about ‘username’:Company issues guidelines after govt notice; know how your data will be safe

WhatsApp has issued a detailed FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) guideline regarding its upcoming ‘Username’ feature. The central government had recently issued a notice to Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, expressing concern about potential fraud risks from this feature. The government had warned that it should not be rolled out until there is complete satisfaction on this issue. Following this, WhatsApp has clarified what security measures it is taking. Question 1: Will creating a username on WhatsApp be mandatory for everyone? Answer: No, it is not mandatory at all. WhatsApp has clarified that creating a username will be completely optional. Create one only if you want to hide your identity or phone number. Question 2: If I’m not getting my preferred username, what could be the reason? Answer: There can be three main reasons for this: Question 3. If someone tries to commit fraud by creating a username similar to my name, how will WhatsApp prevent this? Answer: WhatsApp says that the feature to send messages using usernames has not been made live yet, only names are being reserved. When it goes live and you receive a message from an unknown username, WhatsApp will provide you with information about that account’s country. Also, when a message arrives for the first time, a warning will be displayed on the screen. Additionally, the company will keep a close watch on blocked and reported accounts so that action can be taken immediately against scammers. Question 4. Can any unknown person guess my username and send me a message? Answer: Just as today you cannot search for anyone’s phone number on WhatsApp, similarly no one’s username can be searched either. The best way to avoid unknown people is to choose a completely different username and turn on WhatsApp’s new security feature ‘Username Key’. Question 5. What is this ‘Username Key’ and how will it provide security? Answer: This is an extra layer of your security. After activating it, if any new person wants to connect with you, they must know your ‘Username Key’ along with your ‘Username’. Without this, they won’t be able to send you messages. You can reset this ‘key’ at any time, which will prevent old people from making new contact again through your username. Question 6. Will I have to link my Facebook or Instagram account to create a username? Answer: If you want the same username that you have on Instagram or Facebook, then you will have to link the account. This has been done to reduce fraud and verify identity. However, once you get the username, you can unlink these accounts if you want, or choose a completely different username for WhatsApp. Question 7. Can I change my WhatsApp username later? Answer: Yes, you can change it later at any time, provided your new preferred name should be available on the platform. Question 8. Claims are being made about booking famous names in advance on the internet, is this true? Answer: WhatsApp has called this completely a rumor. The company said that people who are claiming to reserve popular or famous names are false. Celebrity and government institution names are completely secure and can only be claimed by their real and legal owners. Question 9. Why has WhatsApp brought this feature so quickly and when will it start? Answer: WhatsApp says that they started the name reservation process much before launching usernames because people are quite serious about their choice of names. The company is currently listening to feedback from the government and users. By the end of this year when it is fully rolled out, it will be made completely secure and perfect by then.