WhatsApp Usernames Are Coming! Chat Without Sharing Your Number for Better Privacy

After years of depending just on phone numbers for communication, WhatsApp is currently developing a much-anticipated feature called usernames.This new feature could be a game changer for user privacy, allowing users to interact without disclosing their real phone numbers.

According to WaBetaInfo, WhatsApp is presently testing the usernames feature on the iOS beta version, with Android expected to follow soon.  Once accessible, users will be able to select a unique username to use instead of their phone number.This is especially handy in large WhatsApp groups or when communicating with businesses or strangers, where privacy is more important.

The function was initially stated in 2023, and it appears WhatsApp is currently actively developing it. While information are still limited, early reports indicate that WhatsApp will have some criteria for creating usernames.For example, a username must include at least one letter*, but it can also include numbers and symbols.Each will be checked for availability to assure its uniqueness.

Users will also be able to edit their usernames and utilize them across several platforms, including WhatsApp Web.This update not only adds a new layer of privacy, but also puts WhatsApp closer to how other platforms, like as Telegram, operate.

There is no official release date yet, but given that testing has begun, we may expect WhatsApp to roll it out in the coming weeks or months.With billions of users worldwide, this update might significantly change how people use the app for personal and corporate communication.

Interestingly, this news comes just after WhatsApp finally published its app for iPads, which users had been waiting for almost a decade for. With the introduction of usernames, WhatsApp is obviously focusing on user-friendly updates that allow consumers more control over their privacy and how they communicate with others.

Information referenced in this article is from News 18