WhatsApp Denies Claims of Username Reservation for Public Figures Amid Fraud Concerns

BY: Mary Rose Baba

Publish: Thu, 2 Jul 2026 (17:34 IST) Updated: Thu, 2 Jul 2026 (17:36 IST)

WhatsApp has dismissed claims that users are reserving usernames linked to celebrities, politicians, and other well-known personalities, stating that only the legitimate owners of public figure accounts can secure such usernames.

The clarification comes as the Meta-owned messaging platform faces growing scrutiny over its upcoming username feature, which has sparked concerns about impersonation, online scams, and identity fraud.

In a newly released FAQ, WhatsApp sought to reassure users, saying reports suggesting that people are claiming popular or high-profile usernames are inaccurate.

"People are making false claims about reserving popular or well-known usernames - this isn't true, only the legitimate account owners are able to reserve well-known public-figure names," the company said.

Government Asks Meta to Pause Rollout

WhatsApp's clarification follows the Indian government's decision to issue a notice to Meta, asking the company to temporarily halt the rollout of the username feature until consultations with authorities are completed.

The Centre expressed concerns that allowing usernames could significantly increase the risk of:

• Identity impersonation
• Phishing attacks
• Digital arrest scams
• Online financial fraud
• Fake account creation

Officials have asked Meta to address these concerns before making the feature widely available.

Public Figures Raise Concerns

The controversy intensified after several prominent personalities claimed that usernames resembling their identities had already been reserved.

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia posted on X that nearly every variation of his name, as well as his party Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), appeared to have been taken.

With WhatsApp rolling out usernames, I tried to reserve mine today.

I completely understand that ‘Manish Sisodia’ is not a unique name, so it’s quite possible that many versions of my name have already been taken.

But what surprised me is that almost every variation using my… https://t.co/KXxXYOs2VP

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) July 1, 2026

Similarly, MobiKwik CEO Bipin Preet Singh said usernames closely matching his name were already unavailable.

Not a good idea at all. Will lead to proliferation of fraud and impersonation. For example I checked, most variations of my name already taken. Wonder what can it be used for. https://t.co/Nu4DgKVFVm

— Bipin Preet Singh (@BipinSingh) June 30, 2026

These claims fueled fears that the feature could be exploited by scammers to impersonate public figures or deceive users.

Cybersecurity Experts Warn of Potential Risks

The proposed username feature has also drawn criticism from cybersecurity experts, who believe it could make it easier for fraudsters to create deceptive accounts that closely resemble those of public figures, businesses, or trusted organizations.

Experts warn that unless robust verification and security measures are implemented, the feature could lead to an increase in spoofing, impersonation, phishing campaigns, and financial scams.

Despite the concerns, WhatsApp maintains that its system is designed to prevent unauthorized users from claiming usernames associated with verified or well-known public figures.