WhatsApp Username Feature Set to Boost Privacy by Hiding Phone Numbers

WhatsApp is preparing to launch one of its most significant privacy updates yet, allowing users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers. The new WhatsApp username feature will enable people to connect using unique usernames instead of phone numbers, offering an extra layer of privacy for the platform’s more than three billion users worldwide. The rollout is expected to take place gradually over the coming months.

Beginning Monday, users will be able to reserve their preferred usernames directly within the app, although adopting one will remain optional. WhatsApp said users will have full control over their identities, with the ability to change or remove usernames whenever they choose. Once the feature becomes widely available, users will be able to start conversations simply by exchanging usernames, making interactions more convenient while keeping personal phone numbers private.

To prevent confusion and impersonation, usernames will be capped at 35 characters and subject to specific restrictions. High-profile public figures, celebrities, and government officials will receive special protections to stop others from claiming their names. This measure is designed to maintain trust on the platform while ensuring that users can easily identify authentic accounts.

WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, says the update is aimed at giving users greater control over their privacy. Alice Newton-Rex, the company’s head of product, noted that many users have expressed concerns about sharing their phone numbers, particularly when participating in community groups or connecting with people they do not know personally. According to her, the feature will allow users to decide how they present themselves while maintaining a safer messaging experience.

While privacy advocates have welcomed the move, some experts argue that broader concerns remain. Oxford University professor Carissa Véliz pointed out that although WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption protects the content of messages, the platform still collects metadata such as who users communicate with and when those interactions occur. Even so, the introduction of usernames marks a major step toward improving user privacy and aligns WhatsApp with competitors such as Signal, which introduced a similar feature in 2024. Once fully implemented, phone numbers will no longer be visible to other users, though they will still be required to create a WhatsApp account.

source: Leadership