WhatsApp has announced that users will soon have the option to use usernames instead of phone numbers, aiming to enhance privacy protection. The messaging app has initiated the process for users to reserve unique usernames, which will enable communication through usernames when the feature is rolled out later this year.
With over three billion users globally, WhatsApp has previously allowed users to be reached by anyone with their phone number. In a recent blog post, the app, owned by Meta Platforms, revealed that in the “coming months,” users will have the choice to be discovered and contacted solely by their username, eliminating the need to share their phone number. Specific details on the timeline were not provided.
Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s vice president of product, emphasized that this change is a fundamental privacy feature. There will be no directory of usernames within the app, and names will not be suggested as users type. To contact someone for the first time, individuals will need to know the exact username.
Furthermore, WhatsApp’s current privacy settings include options to block individual users, silence unknown callers, and add a profile name visible only in chat groups for contacts without saved contact information. While text messaging remains popular in the U.S., WhatsApp is widely embraced in Europe, Asia, and other regions worldwide.
The introduction of usernames is expected to spark a rush for appealing online handles, with users anticipated to secure desirable usernames promptly. Companies, organizations, and creators with existing accounts on Meta’s social media platforms—Instagram and Facebook—will have the opportunity to claim their usernames on WhatsApp. Usernames must be between three and 35 characters in length, and to prevent impersonation, WhatsApp will reserve certain usernames for high-profile individuals, celebrities, public figures, and government entities.