Ankur Warikoo raises red flags over WhatsApp's new username feature, calls it 'disastrous'

WhatsApp's newly introduced username feature has drawn criticism from entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo, who warned that the update could fuel impersonation scams in India unless the platform strengthens its anti-abuse mechanisms.The concerns came shortly after WhatsApp CEO Kunal Shah announced the rollout of usernames, describing the feature as "a more private way to connect."In a post on social media, Warikoo said the feature could prove "disastrous" in India if adequate safeguards are not put in place."Imagine receiving a message from warikoo / awarikoo / ankurwarikooo / ankur_warikoo / a_warikoo / ankurwarikooofficial etc. soliciting money," he wrote.Warikoo argued that many users may struggle to distinguish authentic accounts from impersonators, particularly if verification systems are not widely understood.In a country such as India, this could be a disaster, if the right anti-abuse systems are not set up by WhatsApp.Imagine receiving a message from warikoo / awarikoo / ankurwarikooo / ankur_warikoo / a_warikoo / ankurwarikooofficial etc etc - soliciting money.1. Most people… Ankur Warikoo (@warikoo) June 30, 2026"Most people don't understand verified status (even if and when it is launched). It also cannot be verified through calling the phone number because username = privacy," he said.Drawing from his own experience, Warikoo said he had previously fought a legal case against Meta over its alleged failure to remove AI-generated advertisements that used his likeness to lure users into fraudulent investment WhatsApp groups."I understand how massive this scam is and how easy it is in our country to execute it," he added.WhatsApp on Tuesday officially unveiled usernames as a new privacy-focused feature aimed at allowing users to connect without sharing their phone numbers.In a blog post, the platform said, "Usernames are our latest step to make WhatsApp even more private. There's no directory to browse and no suggestions—people will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time. To help control who can reach you on WhatsApp with your username, we've built an optional username key that others will need to know to message you."The company said users can enable the feature by updating to the latest version of the app and navigating to Settings > Account > Username.Announcing the rollout, Shah wrote on social media: "A more private way to connect. Coming soon to your WhatsApp."Also Read: Whatsapp Username ReservationThe username feature marks one of WhatsApp's biggest privacy updates in recent years, allowing users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers. However, Warikoo's remarks underscore the challenge the platform could face in balancing enhanced privacy with protection against identity fraud and impersonation scams, particularly in markets such as India where messaging-based financial fraud remains widespread.