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WhatsApp is preparing to launch one of its most anticipated privacy updates by introducing usernames, a feature that will allow users to communicate without revealing their personal phone numbers.
The Meta-owned messaging platform announced that the feature will begin rolling out gradually to its more than three billion users worldwide over the coming months.
Once available, users will have the option of creating a unique username that others can use to find and message them, reducing the need to exchange mobile numbers before starting a conversation.
The new feature is optional, meaning users can continue using WhatsApp with their phone numbers if they prefer. Those who choose to create a username will also have the flexibility to edit or remove it whenever they want.
According to WhatsApp, the update was designed to improve user privacy, particularly in situations where people interact with strangers, such as community groups, public discussions and large social networks.
By displaying a username instead of a phone number, users will have greater control over the personal information they share.
The company explained that usernames can contain up to 35 characters. However, certain names associated with well-known public figures and celebrities will not be available in order to reduce impersonation and identity fraud.
WhatsApp's Head of Product, Alice Newton-Rex, said the company introduced the feature after listening to feedback from users who felt uncomfortable exposing their phone numbers while participating in group conversations.
She noted that the update is intended to give users more control over how they connect with others on the platform without compromising the ease of communication that WhatsApp is known for.
Although usernames will make it easier to communicate privately, WhatsApp confirmed that phone numbers will still be required during account registration. Users will also continue to have access to existing safety features, including the ability to block and report unwanted contacts.
The company stressed that there will not be a public directory where usernames can be searched, a decision aimed at protecting users from unwanted attention.
Despite welcoming the update, some privacy experts argue that it does not completely address broader concerns surrounding user data.
They point out that while WhatsApp protects conversations through end-to-end encryption, its parent company, Meta, still collects metadata such as communication patterns and interaction history to support its wider services.
The rollout of usernames is part of WhatsApp's broader effort to expand its platform beyond personal messaging. In recent years, the app has introduced business tools, payment services and artificial intelligence features, while continuing to invest in stronger privacy controls for its global user base.
For millions of users, the introduction of usernames represents a significant step towards safer and more private digital communication without sacrificing the convenience that has made WhatsApp one of the world's most popular messaging platforms.
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