WhatsApp’s recent username reservations are raising red flags among security experts and regulators, particularly in India where over half a billion users are at risk. While the change aims to enhance privacy by moving away from phone numbers, critics argue it may open doors for impersonation.

The feature rollout highlights a shift in how people identify each other on the platform, with usernames resembling prominent figures still available for reservation. TechCrunch found that usernames such as 'indiamodi' and 'rbi_verify' could be claimed, potentially enabling bad actors to contact users without revealing their phone numbers.

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a warning, asserting that the feature could significantly increase online fraud and impersonation attacks. This move comes as the platform grapples with balancing privacy and security concerns while rolling out its username system globally this year.