The Privacy Pivot: Why WhatsApp Is Letting 3 Billion Users Hide Their Phone Numbers

 

Photo Credit:PetaTech24

LONDON, July 2 — The BBC reported that WhatsApp plans to introduce a new privacy feature allowing users to connect by exchanging unique usernames instead of phone numbers.

According to the BBC, WhatsApp plans to roll out the feature globally to its roughly 3 billion users over the coming months. The report said users will be able to begin reserving usernames through the app's settings this week. Username reservation will remain optional, and users can change their usernames at any time.

The BBC reported that once the feature is fully rolled out, users will be able to connect using usernames instead of phone numbers, meaning individual phone numbers will no longer be visible. A phone number will still be required to create a WhatsApp account. The BBC said there will be no public username directory, while existing options to block or report unwanted messages will remain available.

Usernames will be limited to 35 characters and subject to only a small number of restrictions, with certain high-profile officials and celebrities withheld from general availability to prevent impersonation.

Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's head of product, told the BBC the feature gives users control over how they choose to show up, particularly within group chats where they may not want to share phone numbers. For commercial accounts and organizations, Meta will offer an option to claim the same usernames they currently hold on Instagram or Facebook. Other users wishing to match their WhatsApp username across Meta platforms will need to link their accounts through the Accounts Centre.

Carisa Veliz, a professor at Oxford University, told the BBC that WhatsApp continues to collect metadata, including general location information and certain account information, for advertising purposes.

Addressing concerns regarding potential fraud and scams facilitated by usernames, WhatsApp said it has multiple layers of defense in place to detect and block abuse patterns. The company added that optional username keys—short numbered codes—can be added, requiring contacts to have both the username and the associated key before initiating a conversation.

The BBC also reported that Kunal Shah, founder of an Indian fintech startup, is set to succeed Will Cathcart as head of WhatsApp.

Post Source:

BBC News (featuring primary reporting by Zoe Kleinman and Liv McMahon, with expert commentary from Oxford University professor Carisa Veliz)

#WhatsApp #Privacy #Meta #TechNews #Cybersecurity #MessagingApps #InstantMessaging #PrivacySettings #MobileApps #DataProtection #Encryption #TechUpdate #SocialMedia #SoftwareUpdate #OnlinePrivacy #DigitalSecurity #TechTrends #AppPrivacy #InformationSecurity #Communication #MobileSecurity #Metaverse #UserSafety #DigitalPrivacy #TechIndustry #ConsumerTech #SoftwareEngineering #PrivacyFirst #AntiScam #CyberSafety #GroupChat #TechInnovation #NetworkSecurity #GlobalLaunch #Messenger #SecureChat #TechReport #DataPrivacy #PrivacyFeatures #SecureMessaging #DigitalSafety #InternetPrivacy #TechnologyNews #Smartphones #MobileTech #Application #TechWorld #MetaPlatforms #UserControl #OnlineSafety