SINGAPORE – Later in 2026, WhatsApp will be rolling out a new feature that lets users hide their phone numbers and show only their preferred usernames.

On June 29, WhatsApp started letting its three billion global users reserve a username ahead of the operational roll-out, a change meant to let people protect their privacy.

By making phone numbers less readily visible, it reduces the odds of them being stored in external databases, as commercial entities that have been contacted would not be able to view one’s number. These databases are often used to make unsolicited calls by marketers and even by scammers.

However, users should not be lulled into a false sense of security. Scammers can still exploit the username system.

For instance, a scammer looking to impersonate Singapore’s Health Minister Ong Ye Kung can still reserve @OngYeKung_PAP, The Straits Times found.

Even though WhatsApp has locked down @OngYeKung and @Ong_Ye_Kung, preventing them from being reserved, it may be impossible to lock down all permutations of his name.

Similarly, a scammer looking to impersonate Singapore’s Defence Minister can still reserve @ChanChunSing_PAP even though WhatsApp has locked down @ChanChunSing and @Chan_Chun_Sing.