diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index 7369a0fd..0449846b 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -69,6 +69,10 @@
 IGNORE_USERNAMES = os.environ.get("IGNORE_USERNAMES",
                                   'co-robo coala-bot').split()
 
+RESP_ONLY_REQ_USERS = False
+
+REQUIRED_USERS = []
+
 DIVERT_TO_PRIVATE = ('help', )
 
 ROOMS_TO_JOIN = (
diff --git a/utils/filters.py b/utils/filters.py
index 9b3c14a7..9ec64d17 100644
--- a/utils/filters.py
+++ b/utils/filters.py
@@ -23,7 +23,11 @@ def filters(self, msg, cmd, args, dry_run):
         return msg, cmd, args
 
     @cmdfilter
-    def filter_ignored_users(self, msg, cmd, args, dry_run):
-        if msg.frm.nick in self.bot_config.IGNORE_USERNAMES:
+    def filter_users(self, msg, cmd, args, dry_run):
+        name = msg.frm.fullname if BACKEND == 'Zulip' else msg.frm.nick
+        if name in self.bot_config.IGNORE_USERNAMES:
+            return None, None, None
+        if (name not in self.bot_config.REQUIRED_USERS
+                and self.bot_config.RESP_ONLY_REQ_USERS):
             return None, None, None
         return msg, cmd, args