WhatsApp to let users chat by swapping usernames instead of phone numbers

WhatsApp is adding a new feature to give users more control over who can contact them. The company said this feature will be available to its three billion users around the world over the next few months. Like, users can choose and reserve a username in the app but using a username is optional. To contact someone for the first time a person must know their exact username. Users can change or remove their username whenever they want. A username must be between 3 and 35 characters long. To stop fake accounts and impersonation, WhatsApp will reserve certain usernames for well-known people, public figures, celebrities, government organisations, and other important groups.

Meta said that WhatsApp usernames will be introduced slowly over the next few months. Users will get a notification when the feature is available for their account. To reserve a username, users need to open the account or profile settings in the WhatsApp app. The option will appear automatically when it is ready. This feature is only available on the mobile app and cannot be used on WhatsApp Web or the Desktop app.

When some people asked how WhatsApp would protect users from scammers, the company said it has several security measures in place. Users can also choose to add a username key, which is a short number code. This means people will need both the username and the code to contact them. People who want to use the same username across other Meta apps such as Threads and Messenger will need to link their accounts through the Accounts Centre. This allows some information to be shared between those Meta apps. Some users have said on social media that they still cannot see the option to reserve a username. Meta has advised users to update WhatsApp to the latest version and check the app regularly until the feature becomes available.

The minimum age to use WhatsApp is 13 years. Lastly, WhatsApp has announced that Kunal Shah who is the founder of an Indian fintech startup will become the new head of the platform. He will replace Will Cathcart, who is stepping down after leading WhatsApp for the past seven years.

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