WhatsApp has announced that users will soon have the option to use usernames instead of phone numbers, addressing a privacy concern. The messaging app has initiated the process for users to reserve unique usernames for future use in contacting WhatsApp users. With over three billion users worldwide, WhatsApp has traditionally allowed users to be contacted by anyone with their phone number.
In a recent blog post, WhatsApp, a subsidiary of Meta Platforms, revealed that in the “coming months,” users will have the choice to be found and messaged solely by their username, removing the necessity of sharing their phone number. This change is being touted as a fundamental privacy enhancement by Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s vice president of product.
The app will not feature a directory of usernames or offer suggestions as users type. Newton-Rex emphasized that individuals will need to possess the exact username to initiate contact for the first time. Additionally, WhatsApp’s current privacy tools include the option to block specific users and mute unknown callers, along with the ability to set a profile name visible in chat groups for those without the user’s contact information.
Although text messaging remains popular in the United States, WhatsApp enjoys widespread use across Europe, Asia, and other regions. The introduction of usernames is expected to trigger a rush for appealing handles, prompting users to secure their preferred usernames early. Organizations and individuals with accounts on Meta’s platforms like Instagram and Facebook will have the opportunity to claim their usernames on WhatsApp.
To prevent impersonation, usernames must be between three and 35 characters in length. High-profile individuals, celebrities, public figures, and government entities will have their usernames reserved to thwart any attempts at impersonation.