The reservation period offers a head start for users to claim familiar handles before the feature becomes fully operational later this year. To secure a name, users must navigate to Settings, then Account, and finally Username in the app’s latest version. Meta is encouraging users to mirror their existing Instagram or Facebook identities to maintain consistency and curb impersonation risks.
WhatsApp Shifts Toward Usernames to Replace Phone Numbers
Three billion users will soon navigate WhatsApp without exposing their personal phone numbers. The platform is rolling out a username system designed to enhance privacy, allowing individuals to connect with others through unique handles rather than the digits tied to their SIM cards, starting with early reservations this week.
Alice Newton-Rex, head of product at WhatsApp, confirmed that the company has proactively locked specific handles associated with high-profile figures, including politicians and celebrities, to prevent bad actors from hijacking their digital presence. Despite the shift toward handle-based discovery, the platform is maintaining a strict barrier to entry: users cannot browse for contacts. You must possess the exact username of a person to initiate a conversation, ensuring that the platform remains a private messaging tool rather than a public social network.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first!