Like platforms such as Instagram or Facebook, which protect the privacy of users’ contact data, WhatsApp presented an update that will replace the exchange of the phone number with that of the username.
The new Meta modification will allow users to exchange contacts without sharing their phone number, thereby strengthening privacy. This function is similar to the one used by the Telegram messaging application. In addition, WhatsApp now allows users who have the updated application to reserve their usernames.
“Your phone number is personal and sometimes you want to communicate without sharing it. That’s why we introduced usernames for WhatsApp,” the company said when announcing this tool.
With this function, users will prevent unknown people with whom they share WhatsApp groups, whether they are school, neighborhood or hobby groups, from accessing their direct contact.
Through its website, WhatsApp informs that, as of June 29, users can now reserve their username as a prior step to the full implementation of this tool. This is because the platform has more than three billion users, so some names will not be able to register more than once.
“For most people, choosing a WhatsApp username should be something unique that only those you want to contact you know about,” the company highlights.
Unlike other options that the application already offers, such as the QR code for users, this new function will keep the phone number secret so that only people close to you can have direct contact with the user.
For business accounts, Meta will allow you to claim the username that the company already uses on Instagram or Facebook and also keep it on WhatsApp.
“Usernames are our latest step to make WhatsApp even more private. There is no directory to explore or suggestions; people will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time,” WhatsApp details on its blog.
In addition, the platform will incorporate an optional key associated with the username. Those who wish to contact the user must know that password to send them a message and start a conversation.
Reserve username
As detailed by WhatsApp, it is now possible to reserve the username for this new update, which will come into effect later. To do this, users must follow the steps indicated by the platform.
WhatsApp indicated that it will implement this function gradually over the coming months and by region.