WhatsApp Introduces Username Feature to Hide Phone Numbers Globally

WhatsApp is rolling out a major update allowing its 3 billion users worldwide to communicate using unique usernames instead of sharing their personal phone numbers. Starting Monday, users can reserve their usernames within the app, with the option to change or remove them at any time. This feature is optional and will maintain existing privacy controls such as blocking and reporting unwanted messages. Usernames will be limited to 35 characters, except for public figures and celebrities whose names will be reserved.

Despite WhatsApp, owned by Meta, promoting this as a privacy enhancement, experts remain cautious. Professor Krissa Walis from Oxford University noted that while the feature offers more privacy, WhatsApp still collects extensive user data for marketing purposes and has a poor privacy track record. Importantly, there will be no public directory of usernames, and phone numbers will still be required to create an account.

This move follows a similar feature introduced by the secure messaging app Signal earlier in 2024, reflecting a broader trend toward enhanced privacy options in messaging platforms.