Does a messaging username identify a person?¶

A username identifies or locates an account within a service; it does not by itself identify the human controller. Usernames may be chosen, changed, copied or deliberately made similar to another identity.

Preserve the account behind the handle¶

Capture the exact username, capitalisation and punctuation, service, profile URL, display name and image, stable account or user ID, telephone number where visible, and capture date. The same string can exist on another platform, and historical evidence may be needed after a change.

Attribute control separately¶

Use registration and recovery details, provider sessions, linked devices, subscriber information, local application records, possession and surrounding communications. One person may run several handles, while an account can be shared or compromised.

Report that the username was associated with the service account at the recorded time. Name a person only where the wider account, device and contextual evidence links them to its relevant use.