WhatsApp has announced a new feature that will allow users to create usernames instead of solely relying on phone numbers, aiming to enhance privacy measures. Users can now reserve unique usernames that will serve as their contact information within the app when the feature rolls out later this year.
Previously, WhatsApp users could be contacted by anyone possessing their phone number. However, the messaging app, which boasts over three billion users worldwide, is introducing the option for users to be found and messaged solely by their username, rather than their phone number. This change is being highlighted as a fundamental privacy enhancement by Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s vice president of product.
Notably, the app will not generate a directory of usernames nor suggest names as users type. Individuals must possess the exact username to initiate contact for the first time. The username selection process is open to users, companies, organizations, and creators with existing accounts on Meta’s other social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook.
Usernames on WhatsApp must be between three and 35 characters in length. To prevent impersonation, certain usernames will be reserved for high-profile individuals, celebrities, public figures, and government entities. The introduction of usernames is expected to spark a race among users to secure appealing and distinctive handles, prompting WhatsApp to allow early reservations to accommodate the anticipated demand.
While text messaging remains prevalent in the United States, WhatsApp enjoys widespread popularity in Europe, Asia, and various other regions across the globe. This move towards usernames reflects WhatsApp’s commitment to enhancing user privacy and control over their contact information within the app.