WhatsApp is rolling out usernames so users can connect without sharing phone numbers. It will restrict claims on high-profile usernames to verified legitimate owners to curb impersonation.
3:48 PMPYMNTS3 stories from 3 sources
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
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Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
AI tools are being used to intensify online abuse targeting Muslim women in India, including more scalable harassment and manipulation of images and content. The result is a wider, faster cycle of intimidation that spills into real-world safety and participation.
2:06 PMAl JazeeraPapa Johns is using retail purchase data from partners to target ads at consumers it predicts are running low on groceries. NBCUniversal and Instacart built a custom audience based on recurring purchases of staples like eggs, milk, meat, and produce, aiming to time ads to moments of maximum susceptibility.
6:53 AMSchneier on Security3:48 PMPYMNTS
WhatsApp Steps Up Fight Against Account Impersonation
Summary
WhatsApp is rolling out usernames so users can connect without sharing phone numbers. It will restrict claims on high-profile usernames to verified legitimate owners to curb impersonation.
Why it matters
Usernames reduce phone-number exposure, but without strong name protection they create a new attack surface for fraud and social engineering.
2:06 PMAl Jazeera
How AI is being weaponised against India’s Muslim women
Summary
AI tools are being used to intensify online abuse targeting Muslim women in India, including more scalable harassment and manipulation of images and content. The result is a wider, faster cycle of intimidation that spills into real-world safety and participation.
Why it matters
AI-enabled harassment turns identity-based targeting into a scalable weapon, chilling speech and undermining digital safety for vulnerable communities.
6:53 AMSchneier on Security
Papa Johns Surveillance-Based Advertising
Summary
Papa Johns is using retail purchase data from partners to target ads at consumers it predicts are running low on groceries. NBCUniversal and Instacart built a custom audience based on recurring purchases of staples like eggs, milk, meat, and produce, aiming to time ads to moments of maximum susceptibility.
Why it matters
Predictive targeting built on purchase surveillance normalizes deeper data collection while raising privacy, security, and regulatory risk across the retail advertising stack.
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