# WhatsApp username rollout and security updates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/whatsapp-username-feature-rollout > Updated: 2026-09-10T20:30:31.000Z. Sources: 195. Developments: 15. WhatsApp is implementing a new username feature to enhance privacy by allowing communication via unique identifiers instead of personal phone numbers. This shift aims to reduce the direct exposure of personal telephone data. For businesses, usernames may assist in maintaining brand consistency and reducing impersonation risks. Javier Lorente, an MBA professor at EAE Business School, noted that usernames could become a significant business asset, similar to internet domains, and may allow multiple collaborators to manage corporate channels without using personal lines. To combat fraud, WhatsApp is rolling out ‘Scam Alert’ to select beta users on Android. This feature uses on-device machine learning to identify suspicious message patterns from unknown senders. Because Meta stated that ‘no message content leaves the device for classification,’ the tool preserves end-to-end encryption. When a potential scam is detected, users receive a warning and can choose to remove the alert, block the sender, or report the contact. Security upgrades include transitioning the two-step verification system from a six-digit PIN to a robust alphanumeric password. The platform has also expanded passkey support for Android and iOS and introduced passkey-backed end-to-end encrypted chat backups. Additional functionality updates include expanding chat customization, allowing users in beta versions to pin up to four messages at the top of individual or group chats, up from the previous limit of three. WhatsApp is also developing ‘Guest Calls,’ which allows individuals to join voice or video calls via a web browser link without an account, utilizing temporary session identifiers to maintain end-to-end encryption. ## Claims - WhatsApp is replacing the six-digit PIN for two-step verification with full alphanumeric passwords that support special characters. (corroborated by 11 sources) - More than one billion people have configured a passkey on WhatsApp. (corroborated by 11 sources) - WhatsApp is introducing features for Android users to identify unknown callers by showing their country and shared groups. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Users can now associate multiple Passkeys with a single WhatsApp account. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Android and iOS users can now add multiple passkeys to a single WhatsApp account. (corroborated by 6 sources) - WhatsApp now allows users to use full passwords instead of just six-digit PINs for two-step verification. (corroborated by 4 sources) - WhatsApp is introducing usernames to allow users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers. (corroborated by 3 sources) - More than one billion users have configured Passkeys on WhatsApp. (corroborated by 3 sources) - A Kaspersky study shows a gap in digital literacy in Latin America regarding the identification of fake news. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The username feature is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Usernames must be under 35 characters, start with a letter, cannot start with ‘www’, and cannot end with a domain extension. (corroborated by 2 sources) - WhatsApp has opened a reservation phase to allow users to secure their desired usernames before the full rollout. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: WhatsApp introduces usernames to reduce phone number dependency WhatsApp is implementing usernames, allowing users and businesses to connect without sharing phone numbers, enhancing privacy and digital identity management. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-introduces-usernames-to-reduce-phone-number-dependency ### 2026-09-06: WhatsApp tests AI-driven scam detection and expanded pinning features WhatsApp is testing new beta features, including an on-device AI ‘Scam Alert’ to detect fraud and an increase in the number of messages users can pin in chats. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-tests-ai-driven-scam-detection-and-expanded-pinning-features ### 2026-08-31: WhatsApp introduces new security features to combat scams WhatsApp is testing new security features, including an on-device ‘Scam Alert’ tool, enhanced alphanumeric two-step verification, and expanded passkey support to protect users from fraud and account theft. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-rolls-out-scam-alert-feature-and-enhanced-security-updates ### 2026-08-28: WhatsApp tests on-device AI feature to detect scam messages WhatsApp is testing ‘Scam Alert’ on Android beta, using on-device machine learning to detect fraudulent messages from unknown contacts without compromising end-to-end encryption. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-tests-ai-driven-scam-alert-for-android-users ### 2026-08-27: WhatsApp rolls out new security features and passkey upgrades WhatsApp is upgrading security by replacing six-digit PINs with alphanumeric passwords, expanding multi-device passkey support, and adding caller context for unknown numbers to prevent scams. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-introduces-multi-passkey-support-and-enhanced-security-features ### 2026-08-24: WhatsApp rolls out new security features to combat account takeovers WhatsApp is enhancing account security by replacing six-digit PINs with alphanumeric passwords, expanding multi-device passkey support, and adding caller context for unknown numbers on Android. 79 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-and-telegram-enhance-messaging-account-security ### 2026-08-22: WhatsApp tests scam detection as malware campaigns target users WhatsApp is testing an on-device ‘Scam Alert’ feature to detect fraud, while researchers warn of a malware campaign using compromised accounts to spread malicious files via WhatsApp Desktop and Web. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-tests-scam-detection-as-malware-campaigns-target-users ### 2026-08-21: WhatsApp to introduce usernames to reduce phone number exposure WhatsApp is moving toward a username-based communication model to enhance privacy, though experts warn of increased risks regarding identity impersonation and phishing scams. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-tests-username-features-amid-new-zero-click-security-threats ### 2026-08-19: WhatsApp tests Liquid Glass UI and AI-driven security features WhatsApp is testing new Liquid Glass UI elements for iOS and implementing Meta AI features, including automated 9:16 photo expansion and on-device AI to detect phishing and fraudulent messaging patterns. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/meta-implements-ai-fraud-detection-for-whatsapp ### 2026-08-18: WhatsApp and Signal introduce new security and scam detection features WhatsApp is testing a local machine-learning ‘Scam Alert’ feature, while Signal has introduced automatic cryptographic key verification to enhance user security. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-and-signal-introduce-new-security-and-scam-detection-features ### 2026-08-14: WhatsApp tests AI-powered ‘Scam Alert’ to detect fraudulent messages WhatsApp is testing ‘Scam Alert,’ an optional AI-powered feature that uses on-device machine learning to detect fraudulent messages from unknown contacts while preserving end-to-end encryption. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-tests-scam-alert-feature-to-combat-digital-fraud ### 2026-08-14: WhatsApp introduces username system to reduce phone number sharing WhatsApp is introducing a username system that allows users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers, adding a new username field to the contact creation process on Android and iOS. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-introduces-username-system-to-reduce-phone-number-sharing ### 2026-08-12: WhatsApp tests AI-driven Scam Alert to detect fraud WhatsApp is testing ‘Scam Alert,’ an optional AI-powered feature that uses on-device machine learning to flag suspicious messages from unknown contacts without compromising end-to-end encryption. 34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-introduces-username-field-for-new-contacts ### 2026-08-09: WhatsApp introduces usernames to enhance user privacy WhatsApp is introducing usernames to allow users to chat without sharing their phone numbers, starting with a reservation phase to secure preferred aliases. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-introduces-usernames-to-enhance-user-privacy ### 2026-07-16: WhatsApp rolls out username feature in Germany WhatsApp begins a limited rollout of usernames, allowing contact without phone numbers, but German consumer groups caution about continued data collection by Meta. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whatsapp-rolls-out-username-feature-in-germany --- Cite as: WhatsApp username rollout and security updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/whatsapp-username-feature-rollout