In one of its biggest privacy-focused feature updates in recent years, WhatsApp is introducing a new username option that allows users to connect without sharing their mobile numbers. In addition to the phone number-based system of identifying users that WhatsApp has always used, the new feature of the WhatsApp Username will allow users to communicate through a different channel without losing control over their personal information.
The company has started reservation of usernames for its upcoming launch, which will be a rollout later this year, as per an official announcement by the company and reports by Hindustan Times. It’s a feature that’s optional and won’t alter WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption or core messaging experience.
What Is WhatsApp’s New Username Feature?
The new feature, WhatsApp Username, adds a unique identifier that users will be able to use when adding new contacts.
Since its inception, WhatsApp has mandated registering a mobile phone number to create an account and communicate. That registration process doesn’t change, but the new system will give them an alternative public identity, so they can begin conversations without revealing their personal phone numbers.
It’s a strategy that makes WhatsApp more compatible with a number of messaging apps that already support username-based messaging, and it’s also another sign of Meta’s commitment to digital messaging that focuses on privacy. Usernames are not meant to be the same as the traditional phone number sharing, but provide more control for users regarding access to their personal contact data.
How Will the Username Feature Work?
WhatsApp has explained how the new feature will work once it’s broadly available.
Create a Unique Username
Reserving a unique username is available for eligible users and is done by updating WhatsApp to the latest version and going to:
Settings → Account → Username
In the event the preferred username is not accessible, WhatsApp will come up with alternate unique usernames using an inbuilt username generator.
Connect Without Sharing a Phone Number
If enabled, users will be able to start conversations with others using their username instead of sharing their mobile phone number.
Importantly, it is still necessary to have a phone number to create and maintain a WhatsApp account. The username is not an alternative to registration of an account, but merely another published identifier.
Existing Chats and Contacts
Existing conversations and contacts are not impacted by the introduction of usernames. Users who already have another phone number or have had a chat with the other person should be able to do so as usual, unless WhatsApp says otherwise.
Username Uniqueness
WhatsApp usernames must be between 3 and 35 characters long and must be unique. If a preferred username has already been taken, users will be prompted to choose another available option.
Creators, businesses and organisations can also reserve their WhatsApp usernames based on their Facebook and Instagram profiles, further ensuring brand consistency across Meta’s platforms, the company has confirmed.
Privacy Benefits for Users
WhatsApp’s privacy change has been mostly focused on limiting the sharing of personal phone numbers.
No Need to Share Phone Numbers
The best thing about it is that people can talk with a new person without even providing their cell phone number. This is helpful when learning to interact with someone for the first time or when just starting a conversation.
Better Protection Against Spam
Now, WhatsApp has stated that there’s no plan to introduce a public searchable username directory. Users have to already know the exact name of a user when they want to contact them, making it difficult for spammers and other individuals to send messages or emails to users.
Safer Communication with New Contacts
For example, at an event, users can now use a username to communicate instead of a phone number, thereby adding another layer of privacy; with community, for instance, users can interact with others without using their personal phone numbers; and with online marketplaces, users can share a username for an additional level of privacy.
Added Privacy in Groups and Communities
The feature is also useful for individuals involved in large communities or groups where it’s not always desirable to have a personal phone number shared. Usernames are designed to give more control over personal identity in these interactions, says WhatsApp.
Why Is WhatsApp Introducing Usernames?
Increasing worries regarding electronic privacy have driven messaging systems to offer options to telephone number identification.
Telegram, Signal and Discord are applications that already allow users to communicate with a specific username without having to share their mobile numbers.
Unlike email, WhatsApp’s account system and security model is unchanged, and its new inclusion of usernames is another measure to protect users’ privacy. Meta says the feature will be specifically implemented to keep users’ phone number private when initiating new conversations.
Who Will Benefit the Most?
There are several groups of users that can benefit from WhatsApp usernames.
Businesspeople can connect with clients and other businesspeople without revealing their contact information.
Freelancers are able to contact a potential client without revealing their personal phone numbers.
Where appropriate, small businesses can keep their brand uniformity by setting up usernames that correspond to their Facebook or Instagram profiles.
The username can be shared in a classroom between students, academic groups or project teams instead of a phone number.
The online communities benefit from enhanced privacy when taking part in groups.
Content creators can offer followers a WhatsApp contact, while limiting the sharing of personal information.
Users of the marketplace who are making one-off transactions can communicate more securely, without immediately giving out their main phone number.
Feature Availability
The rollout of WhatsApp username has started in a phased manner using a username reservation process.
Users can check availability by updating to the latest version of WhatsApp, and searching for the Username option in Account settings.
Users will get an in-app notification once the feature is available in their country, WhatsApp has said. The wider rollout will take place over the next few months.
WhatsApp has not announced a specific global release date. The company has confirmed only that the broader rollout will take place gradually over the coming months.
Security Considerations
The WhatsApp security update doesn’t change the platform’s current end-to-end encryption, which remains unchanged.
WhatsApp’s existing security encryption features will still apply to messages, voice and video calls.
Users can also get an optional username key for extra security, and WhatsApp is rolling out the feature. This added verification layer allows users to manage who can start their conversations with their username, the company said.
To minimize impersonation risks, WhatsApp has confirmed that certain public accounts, creators, businesses and organisations can reserve corresponding accounts from WhatsApp for their Meta accounts.
How This Changes the WhatsApp Experience
Adding usernames is one of the most significant changes to WhatsApp’s identity system since its inception.
Users will not only have the option of using their phone numbers to connect with new users, they will have more options as well. This might streamline professional relationships, community engagement and business interactions and enhance privacy.
The feature also eliminates the need to give out personal mobile numbers in the beginning of interaction, providing more control over the timing and method of providing sensitive contact details.
It is important to note that WhatsApp has stressed that usernames are still optional. For those who like the old phone number experience, they can do the same as before.
Key Highlights
- WhatsApp is adding WhatsApp usernames, the new optional identity feature.
- Users will be able to chat without sharing phone numbers during new conversations.
- The update aims to bolster users’ privacy.
- There is a phased start for the username reservations.
- No registry of user names and no searchable registry of names.
- Users need to know the precise username in order to contact.
- Use of an optional username key adds an extra layer of privacy.
- The end-to-end encryption is not affected.
- Creators, businesses and organizations can reserve matching Meta usernames if applicable.
- The entire update of WhatsApp will be released gradually over the next few months.
Conclusion
The new feature, called WhatsApp Username, is a major step forward in user connectivity on the world’s largest messaging app. The move addresses a long-standing privacy concern, and it’s sure to maintain the security and simplicity that have defined WhatsApp.
It may change personal, professional and business communication forever, as the feature is slowly being introduced worldwide, yet through username reservations. With increased availability, users can anticipate having more control over their identity sharing without impacting WhatsApp’s current end-to-end secured messaging experience.
