Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has announced a new feature that will allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers, in a move aimed at improving privacy.
The company said on Monday that users will soon be able to create unique usernames that can be shared instead of their phone numbers when chatting with friends, family, businesses, or new contacts.
According to WhatsApp, the feature is designed to protect users’ privacy by preventing phone numbers from being automatically revealed in situations such as joining large group chats or messaging a person or business for the first time.
Meta also noted that there will be no public directory or username suggestions, meaning users must know a person’s exact username to contact them.
With more than three billion WhatsApp users worldwide, the company acknowledged that not everyone may be able to secure their preferred username.
The username reservation feature will be rolled out gradually worldwide over the coming months, with users receiving notifications when it becomes available in their countries.
Meta added that creators, small businesses, and organisations will be able to reserve the same usernames they already use on its other platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.
