WhatsApp has launched a major privacy update that enables users to chat without revealing their phone numbers, instead using chosen usernames. The rollout, affecting the platform's three billion account holders, will occur over the next few months, with users able to reserve usernames now.
How the New System Works
Users will exchange messages using their usernames, keeping phone numbers private when chatting with new people or in group conversations, according to the Strait Times. Usernames are limited to 35 characters with few restrictions, though some high-profile officials and celebrities will have their names reserved exclusively.
Reserving a username must be done via the app on a phone, not through WhatsApp Web or Desktop. Users can remove or change their usernames at any time and will be notified when their new usernames become active.
Privacy and Security Considerations
WhatsApp stated there will be no public username directory, but phone numbers will still be required to set up an account. The shift has raised concerns about increased scams, but WhatsApp says its systems will detect and block abuse patterns, and users retain options to block or report unwanted messages.
“Our systems will detect and block abuse patterns,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said, emphasizing continued protections like end-to-end encryption for private chats, which the company cannot read. However, WhatsApp uses data such as general location and basic account information like age for advertising.
Cross-Platform Integration
For creators, small businesses, and organizations, WhatsApp will offer an option to claim the same username used on Instagram or Facebook for consistency. However, users must link their account to other Meta accounts in the Accounts Centre, which shares data across platforms like Threads and Messenger, as reported by The Independent.
This new privacy approach mirrors identification systems offered by rival messaging apps like Signal, which also allows exchanges using usernames instead of phone numbers.
