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WhatsApp to allow users to chat without sharing phone numbers
2 hrs ago |
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WhatsApp is set to introduce usernames, allowing users to connect without having to share their phone numbers in a move aimed at strengthening privacy on the messaging platform.
The new feature will be rolled out globally over the coming months to the platform's three billion users, parent company Meta has announced.
From Monday, users will begin reserving unique usernames through the app, although using a username will remain optional.
Once the feature is fully deployed, WhatsApp users will be able to find and message each other by exchanging usernames instead of phone numbers.
The company said users will be free to change or remove their usernames at any time and will continue to have the ability to block or report unwanted contacts.
Usernames will be limited to 35 characters and, while most names will be available, certain names associated with high-profile public figures and celebrities will be restricted to prevent impersonation.
Meta said the feature is intended to give users greater control over their privacy.
WhatsApp's Head of Product, Alice Newton-Rex, said many users had expressed a desire to communicate without revealing their personal phone numbers, particularly when participating in group chats.
She said the feature would "give users control over how they choose to show up" on the platform.
The move brings WhatsApp in line with rival messaging service Signal, which introduced a similar username system in 2024.
However, privacy experts cautioned that the new feature does not fundamentally change WhatsApp's broader data collection practices.
"It is a good feature, but even if it does offer more privacy, remember WhatsApp is not a privacy-friendly app overall," said Carissa Véliz, professor at the University of Oxford and author of Privacy Is Power.
"It collects much metadata about users for marketing purposes.
"We have to remember that WhatsApp is owned by Meta – one of the tech companies with the worst track records when it comes to privacy."
WhatsApp says the content of private conversations remains protected through end-to-end encryption, meaning neither the company nor third parties can read users' messages.
However, the platform continues to collect metadata, including information such as who users communicate with and when, which Meta uses to support its advertising business.
Under the new system, users' phone numbers will no longer be visible to people they contact using usernames.
There will also be no public directory of usernames, although a valid phone number will still be required to register for a WhatsApp account.
The platform's minimum age requirement remains 13 years. Messaging applications such as WhatsApp are also expected to be exempt from the United Kingdom's planned social media ban for users under 16, which is due to take effect next year.
The announcement comes shortly after Meta confirmed that Indian fintech entrepreneur Kunal Shah will take over as head of WhatsApp, succeeding Will Cathcart, who is stepping down after leading the platform for seven years.
The new feature will be rolled out globally over the coming months to the platform's three billion users, parent company Meta has announced.
From Monday, users will begin reserving unique usernames through the app, although using a username will remain optional.
Once the feature is fully deployed, WhatsApp users will be able to find and message each other by exchanging usernames instead of phone numbers.
The company said users will be free to change or remove their usernames at any time and will continue to have the ability to block or report unwanted contacts.
Usernames will be limited to 35 characters and, while most names will be available, certain names associated with high-profile public figures and celebrities will be restricted to prevent impersonation.
Meta said the feature is intended to give users greater control over their privacy.
WhatsApp's Head of Product, Alice Newton-Rex, said many users had expressed a desire to communicate without revealing their personal phone numbers, particularly when participating in group chats.
She said the feature would "give users control over how they choose to show up" on the platform.
The move brings WhatsApp in line with rival messaging service Signal, which introduced a similar username system in 2024.
However, privacy experts cautioned that the new feature does not fundamentally change WhatsApp's broader data collection practices.
"It is a good feature, but even if it does offer more privacy, remember WhatsApp is not a privacy-friendly app overall," said Carissa Véliz, professor at the University of Oxford and author of Privacy Is Power.
"It collects much metadata about users for marketing purposes.
"We have to remember that WhatsApp is owned by Meta – one of the tech companies with the worst track records when it comes to privacy."
WhatsApp says the content of private conversations remains protected through end-to-end encryption, meaning neither the company nor third parties can read users' messages.
However, the platform continues to collect metadata, including information such as who users communicate with and when, which Meta uses to support its advertising business.
Under the new system, users' phone numbers will no longer be visible to people they contact using usernames.
There will also be no public directory of usernames, although a valid phone number will still be required to register for a WhatsApp account.
The platform's minimum age requirement remains 13 years. Messaging applications such as WhatsApp are also expected to be exempt from the United Kingdom's planned social media ban for users under 16, which is due to take effect next year.
The announcement comes shortly after Meta confirmed that Indian fintech entrepreneur Kunal Shah will take over as head of WhatsApp, succeeding Will Cathcart, who is stepping down after leading the platform for seven years.
Source - BBC
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