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WhatsApp locks down high-profile usernames in Singapore to curb impersonation

Published July 12, 2026 at 8:11 PM UTC

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WhatsApp has begun reserving high-profile usernames in Singapore ahead of the official launch of its new privacy feature. This update, which allows users to communicate using usernames instead of sharing their personal phone numbers, has prompted the platform to proactively block specific handles associated with prominent political figures. Among those currently unavailable for public registration are the names of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and several other cabinet ministers including Ong Ye Kung, Vivian Balakrishnan, and K. Shanmugam. The platform is also restricting various lookalike permutations of these names, such as those with minor spelling variations, to prevent bad actors from creating deceptive accounts that could mislead the public. WhatsApp stated that these measures are designed to ensure that the identities of public figures and government entities remain protected, allowing only the legitimate owners to claim them. While the feature aims to enhance user privacy by decoupling accounts from phone numbers, the pre-emptive lockdown serves as a critical safeguard against the rising threat of digital impersonation. Users will be notified when the username feature becomes available in their region, and the platform has implemented additional security checks, such as indicators for new contacts, to help users verify the authenticity of those they interact with.