WhatsApp has announced plans to introduce the option for users to utilize usernames instead of phone numbers as a way to enhance privacy. Users can now reserve unique usernames, paving the way for this feature to be rolled out later this year. With over three billion global users, WhatsApp previously allowed anyone with their phone number to contact them.
In a blog post, WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, stated that in the “coming months,” users will have the choice to be contacted solely by their username rather than their phone number. This change is being positioned as a fundamental privacy enhancement, according to Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s vice president of product.
Unlike other platforms, WhatsApp will not have a directory of usernames or suggest names as users type. Individuals will need to know the exact username to initiate contact for the first time. Existing Meta Platforms account holders from Instagram and Facebook will have the opportunity to secure their desired usernames on WhatsApp.
Usernames must be between three and 35 characters long, with special precautions in place to prevent impersonation of high-profile individuals, celebrities, public figures, and government entities. The anticipation is high for users to grab appealing usernames, prompting WhatsApp to open reservations early to accommodate this demand.
While text messaging remains popular in the U.S., WhatsApp is widely embraced in Europe, Asia, and other regions across the globe.
