WhatsApp has announced that users will soon have the option to use usernames instead of phone numbers in an effort to enhance privacy. The messaging app has begun allowing users to reserve unique usernames, which will enable communication through usernames when the feature is rolled out later this year. Previously, WhatsApp allowed users to be contacted by anyone with their phone number.
In a blog post, WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, stated that in the upcoming months, users will have the choice to be contacted solely by their username rather than their phone number. This change is being positioned as a key privacy enhancement. According to Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s vice president of product, this feature will not include a directory of usernames within the app, and names will not be suggested as users type.
Users will need to know the exact username to initiate contact for the first time, ensuring a level of privacy. The app’s current privacy settings include blocking individual users and muting unknown callers. Additionally, users can add a profile name, which is visible only in chat groups for individuals who do not have the user’s contact information saved.
While text messaging remains popular in the United States, WhatsApp is widely utilized in Europe, Asia, and various other regions across the globe.
The introduction of usernames is expected to trigger a rush for appealing online handles, with users eager to secure desirable usernames. WhatsApp anticipates high demand for usernames, particularly from companies, organizations, and creators with existing accounts on Meta’s platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Usernames must be between three and 35 characters in length, and to prevent impersonation, WhatsApp will reserve certain usernames for high-profile individuals, celebrities, public figures, and government entities.