Somalia's government has voiced strong concerns regarding WhatsApp's planned introduction of usernames, arguing that the feature could create significant security risks for the nation. Communications and Technology Minister Ahmed Osman Dirie stated that the shift away from phone number-based identification could make it more challenging to track and combat criminals, particularly in a country still actively engaged in counter-insurgency efforts against Islamist militants.
The new feature, expected to roll out to WhatsApp's three billion global users in the coming months, will allow individuals to communicate using usernames instead of their phone numbers. Users will also have the ability to remove or alter these usernames at any time.
Somalia has endured a protracted insurgency, primarily led by al-Shabab, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, for over two decades. The government has identified al-Shabab's use of messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, for illicit activities such as extortion and propaganda. In 2024 alone, Somalia's intelligence agency reported shutting down approximately 20 WhatsApp groups allegedly operated by al-Shabab for these purposes and disabling data services for around 2,500 associated phone numbers.
Dirie emphasized that Somalia's “unique context,” including an economy heavily reliant on mobile money transactions, makes the introduction of unverified and untraceable usernames particularly worrisome. He warned that such a change could increase the risk of financial fraud and leave citizens more vulnerable to scammers.
In response to Somalia's concerns, WhatsApp stated that the username feature is not yet live and that a phone number will still be required to use the application. The company also indicated that the feature includes built-in safeguards against scams.
Despite these reassurances, Dirie confirmed that the Somali government has formally approached Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, to discuss its concerns. He expressed hope for a swift resolution to the matter.