"Your phone number is personal and sometimes you want to connect without handing it over. that's why we're introducing usernames for WhatsApp. Starting this week, you can reserve a username to use later this year when we launch the feature. It takes just a few seconds, make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp and then go to Settings > Account > Username"
This was posted by WhatsApp on its X handle.
This feature brings WhatsApp closer to platforms like Telegram and Signal, which already let users connect through usernames instead of exposing their phone numbers. It is a great privacy feature that WhatsApp has introduced.
If someone wanted to message you on WhatsApp, they needed your phone number. This meant your number could be exposed, making spam and unwanted contacts easier. But with this feature, you may only need to share your username instead of your phone number.
This feature is currently rolling out on WhatsApp, as the announcement says. You just need to keep your app updated.
It offers better privacy for freelancers, online gamers, and online sellers, as they may use their username instead of their phone number.
While this is a great move, it also comes with some trade-offs, like:
More Spam
Even if your phone number stays private, someone who knows your username will still be able to message you.
Impersonation
Scammers might use usernames that look very similar.
For example, @amazon or @amaz0n.
Some people may find it difficult to differentiate between them.
As long as WhatsApp includes strong privacy settings, usernames should be a net positive for user privacy. Let's see how WhatsApp handles this, as the feature is not fully released yet.
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