WhatsApp Rolling Out Username Feature to Bolster Phone Number Privacy

WhatsApp is beginning to accept global reservations for usernames, a privacy feature set to launch later this year that will allow users to communicate on the platform without exposing their phone numbers.  The move addresses scenarios in which users may not be comfortable sharing their phone number, such as meeting strangers at events, joining group chats, or connecting with people in professional contexts. Once fully launched, users who enable a username will no longer have their phone number visible to new contacts or businesses when initiating a conversation.  In addition, there is no public directory and no suggestion algorithm, which means someone must know a user’s exact username to make contact.  WhatsApp usernames An optional ‘username key’ adds another layer by requiring a secondary credential before someone can message the user. WhatsApp is opening reservations early due to the scale of its user base; with over three billion users, significant name overlap is expected. Users can reserve a handle via Settings > Account > Username on the latest app version.  Creators, small businesses, and organizations can claim their existing Instagram or Facebook usernames to maintain a consistent online presence. The feature will roll out gradually over the coming months, with in-app notifications when it becomes available by region. The privacy-focused messaging app Signal has been offering a username feature to enable users to keep their phone numbers private since 2024.  Related: WhatsApp Catches Spyware Firm NSO Defying No-Hacking Court Order Related: WhatsApp Discloses File Spoofing, Arbitrary URL Scheme Vulnerabilities Related: Researcher Discovers 4th WhatsApp View Once Bypass; Meta Won’t Patch WRITTEN BY Eduard Kovacs Eduard Kovacs (@EduardKovacs) is senior managing editor at SecurityWeek. He worked as a high school IT teacher before starting a career in journalism in 2011. Eduard holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial informatics and a master’s degree in computer techniques applied in electrical engineering. 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