📲 WhatsApp locks down usernames of Singapore politicians in latest privacy feature roll-out
Popular messaging platform WhatsApp will be rolling out a new feature that lets users hide their phone numbers and show their preferred usernames instead.
READ: https://asia1.news/4vXCl6b
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Meta-owned WhatsApp has officially begun allowing its 3 billion global users to reserve unique usernames. This highly anticipated privacy feature will allow people to text, call, and interact in groups **without revealing their mobile phone numbers** to new contacts or businesses.
As part of the rollout, WhatsApp has proactively **locked down high-profile usernames** matching the names of prominent figures and government officials—including Singapore politicians—to combat scammers and online impersonation.
### 🛡️ Why Singapore Politicians' Names are Locked
To prevent bad actors from creating convincing fake accounts, WhatsApp has reserved the names and lookalike permutations of public figures.
* **The Locked Handles:** Usernames matching Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWong), Health Minister Ong Ye Kung (@OngYeKung), Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (@VivianBalakrishnan), and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong are completely blocked from public registration.
* **Variation Defenses:** To stop fraudsters from using subtle spelling changes or visually similar characters, variants like @Lawrence_Wong, @LawrenceWongg, and @LawrenceW0ng have also been taken off the table.
### 📱 How the Username Feature Works
```
[Traditional WhatsApp] -----------> Phone Number exposed to everyone in a chat
[New WhatsApp Update] -----------> Hide Number -> Share @username instead
```
The feature acts as a major privacy shield. Here are the operational details of how it works:
1. **Phone Numbers Stay Private:** When you message someone for the first time or participate in a massive group chat, people who don't have your number saved in their contacts will only see your @username.
2. **No Public Directory:** Unlike other platforms, there will be **no searchable directory** or predictive name suggestions. To message you, someone must know your exact, case-insensitive username.
3. **The "Username Key" Protection:** For added security against spam, you can set a **4-digit PIN (Username Key)**. Even if a stranger knows your exact username, they cannot initiate a conversation with you unless you give them this key.
4. **Context Clues for Safety:** If a completely new account messages you via your username, WhatsApp will flash a warning box showing if they are a brand new account, if they operate from a different country code, or if you share any mutual groups.
### ⚙️ How to Reserve Your Username
The feature is rolling out in phases globally. You can check if the reservation tool is live for you by doing the following:
1. Update the App
Prerequisite
Ensure your WhatsApp is updated to the absolute latest version via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Navigate to Settings
Open WhatsApp, go to your Settings tab, and tap on Account.
3. Select Username
Look for the Username option. If it's active for your account, you can type in your preferred unique identifier (up to 35 characters).
> 💡 **Note:** Creating a username is completely optional. If you choose not to set one up, your account will simply continue operating via your mobile number exactly as it does now.
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