WhatsApp is rolling out a new privacy feature that lets you chat without sharing your phone number with strangers. This matters in Ghana, where scammers harvest contact information to commit SIM-swap fraud and other identity theft.
Here’s what’s happening and why it matters to you.
What is the WhatsApp username feature?
Instead of someone needing your phone number to message you on WhatsApp, they can now message you using a custom username you create. Think of it like having a nickname for WhatsApp only.
Once you set it up, people outside your contact list will see your username instead of your actual phone number. This means your phone number stays hidden from people who don’t already have it saved.
WhatsApp also lets you add an optional “username key”—an extra password strangers need to know before they can message you at all. It’s an extra lock on top of the username.
How do you get it?
WhatsApp is letting users reserve usernames starting this week, even though the full feature won’t launch until later this year.
To reserve one now:
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version
- Go to Settings > Account > Username
- Choose a username before the official rollout hits Ghana
You can change or delete your reserved username anytime, but once you delete it, someone else can claim it.
Why this matters for Ghanaians
Ghana has seen rising cases of SIM-swap scams and contact-harvesting attacks. Criminals buy lists of phone numbers, then use social engineering to steal MTN MoMo accounts, access banking apps, and commit fraud. A username-based system makes it harder for them to target you randomly.
This won’t stop determined attackers who already have your number, but it does stop casual scammers from finding you through bulk contact harvesting.
What you should do
If you use WhatsApp regularly and worry about your privacy, reserve a username now so you get the one you want. Test the username key option once it’s live to add an extra layer of security.
This feature rolls out gradually over the next few months. WhatsApp will notify you when it’s available in your country.
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