LONDON (AP) – WhatsApp users will soon have the option to use usernames for contact instead of their phone numbers, as announced by the company on Monday. This feature is being introduced to address a significant privacy concern that has been present in the app's design.
The popular messaging application has begun allowing users to reserve unique usernames, which can be utilized to connect with others once the feature is launched later this year. This represents a shift in how users can communicate, as WhatsApp has traditionally relied on phone numbers for user identification.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms and boasting over 3 billion users globally, stated in a recent blog post that users will soon have the ability to be contacted solely through their usernames, thereby protecting their phone numbers from being publicly accessible. While the company has not provided a specific timeline for the full rollout of this feature, it emphasizes that it is designed with user privacy in mind.
Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's vice president of product, explained that there will be no directory of usernames within the app and it will not suggest usernames as users start typing. "People will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time," she added, indicating that the feature discourages unsolicited contact and enhances user control over privacy.
Currently, WhatsApp’s privacy settings are relatively limited, allowing users to block other individuals and silence calls from unknown numbers. While users can also create a profile name, this feature only appears in group chats for users who do not have the contact saved on their devices.
Although Americans predominantly favor traditional text messaging, WhatsApp remains a widely used platform in regions such as Europe and Asia. With the introduction of usernames, it is anticipated that users will scramble to secure desirable username handles. Newton-Rex noted, "I think a lot of people will go and get usernames, and that’s why we decided to open reservations early."
Additionally, companies, organizations, and creators who already have accounts on Meta’s social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, will have the opportunity to claim their usernames on WhatsApp before the general public. This move aims to ensure brand identity and authenticity within the platform.
Usernames will be restricted to a length between three and 35 characters. Furthermore, to mitigate the risk of impersonation, WhatsApp plans to reserve usernames for high-profile individuals or organizations, including celebrities, public figures, and government entities. This consideration aims to enhance the integrity of user identification and reduce potential misuse of the feature.
As WhatsApp prepares to implement these changes, it underscores its commitment to enhancing user privacy while making communication more versatile and secure.
