WhatsApp Introduces Usernames to Enhance Privacy and Hide Phone Numbers

Seventeen years after its launch, WhatsApp is implementing a major change to its core privacy model by introducing "Usernames," a feature announced by Meta on Monday. This update will allow users to hide their phone numbers and instead communicate via unique usernames. The rollout will begin gradually in the coming days, enabling users to reserve their usernames before the full global launch.

Until now, WhatsApp required users to share their phone numbers to start conversations, which often forced people to expose personal contact details even in simple interactions like buying items or contacting service providers. The new usernames system addresses this by allowing users to share a username to be found and messaged without revealing their phone number.

This change is particularly significant for businesses, content creators, and users who receive many inquiries, as it offers a convenient way to manage communication without exposing private phone numbers or needing a separate work line. Additionally, Meta is introducing an optional security feature called "Key," which requires first-time contacts to enter a security key along with the username to initiate communication. This extra layer of protection aims to prevent unwanted contacts despite usernames being publicly visible.

Users with linked Facebook or Instagram accounts can choose to keep the same username across Meta platforms, helping creators and businesses maintain a consistent identity. The gradual introduction reflects Meta's awareness of the privacy risks involved and the need to balance usability with security.

This move aligns WhatsApp more closely with competitors like Telegram, which have long allowed communication without phone numbers. If successful, this update could reduce the centrality of phone numbers in WhatsApp's user experience, a shift that seemed unlikely until recently.