In a significant update for its users, WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform owned by Meta, is set to introduce a feature that allows individuals to communicate without the need to share their phone numbers. This change aims to enhance privacy and security for the app’s extensive user base, which Meta claims exceeds three billion globally.
Username Feature Enhancements
With the upcoming update, users will have the option to create unique usernames that can be shared with others. This move is designed to safeguard the privacy of personal phone numbers, ensuring that they are not automatically disclosed when users join large group chats or initiate conversations with new contacts. According to Meta, “there’s no directory to browse and no suggestions, so people need to know your exact username to contact you.”
As the rollout progresses over the coming months, users will receive notifications in their respective countries when the feature becomes available. Notably, creators, small businesses, and organizations will have the opportunity to claim usernames that they currently utilize on other Meta platforms, such as Facebook or Instagram.
Once this feature is fully implemented, WhatsApp users will be able to connect solely by exchanging usernames. The platform will still provide options to block or report unwanted messages, ensuring users maintain control over their interactions. Usernames will be capped at 35 characters, with few restrictions in place, although high-profile individuals, including celebrities and officials, will not be able to register their names as usernames.
Despite the introduction of this privacy-centric feature, experts caution that WhatsApp’s overall privacy practices remain a concern. Carisa Veliz, a professor at Oxford University, highlighted that while the new username feature may enhance privacy, WhatsApp is still not considered a privacy-friendly app. She noted that the platform collects extensive metadata about its users for marketing purposes, which raises questions about the broader implications of privacy within the app.
While WhatsApp maintains that it does not use the content of private messages for advertising—thanks to end-to-end encryption—data such as messaging patterns and contact interactions are utilized to support advertising efforts. As the username feature takes shape, individual phone numbers will no longer be visible on the platform, and users will not have access to a public username directory. However, it is important to note that phone numbers will still be required to create a WhatsApp account.
As WhatsApp evolves, it continues to adapt to the changing landscape of digital communication. The platform recently announced a leadership change, with Kunal Shah, founder of an Indian fintech start-up, stepping in as the new head of WhatsApp, succeeding Will Cathcart after seven years in the role.
