Somalia Warns WhatsApp Over New Username Feature Amid Terror Threats

Somalia’s government says WhatsApp’s planned introduction of usernames—allowing people to chat without revealing phone numbers—could jeopardise national security and enable fraud amid an ongoing war with an al‑Shabab affiliate.

Communications and Technology Minister Ahmed Osman Dirie warned that removing the phone-number requirement would make it far more difficult to trace and counter criminals. The move could also open the door for financial scams, a risk the ministry sees as heightened by the country’s heavy dependence on mobile money.

WhatsApp has responded that the feature is still in its beta stage and that users will continue to register with a phone number until the rollout, which is expected for the next three months, is complete. The company also highlighted built‑in safeguards against cyber‑crime.

In a recent interview on the Focus on Africa podcast, Dirie said Somalia had reached out to Meta to seek assurances that security controls will remain robust when usernames are introduced. He awaited concrete evidence that the platform can still trace illicit activity without compromising user privacy.

Al‑Shabab militants routinely use WhatsApp for extortion, propaganda and recruitment, and Somali intelligence shut down 20 groups in 2024 that were allegedly run by the group. They also disabled data services on about 2,500 phone numbers linked to the insurgents.

Tech blogger Moses Kemibaro, who specializes in African digital trends, notes that the new feature might enhance privacy for users. However, he cautions that countries must assess the security implications and determine whether the platform can keep a traceable link between a username and the person behind it.

Two security experts, including Kenyan specialist George Musamali, echo the need for a balance between privacy and law‑enforcement needs. They emphasise that the platform’s role is to protect users from targeted surveillance, but also to prevent criminals from exploiting anonymity.

Somalia’s Ministry of Communications and Technology has called on Meta to demonstrate that hiding phone numbers will not erode traceability and to install specific safeguards for financial fraud. Should such assurances be provided, the ministry would sign a green light for the username rollout.