WhatsApp is testing a groundbreaking beta feature that will enable users to connect without disclosing their phone numbers. One of the biggest privacy changes in the platform’s history will be the ability for users to create their own usernames, a move akin to what is seen on Instagram, Telegram, and X.
The new feature presently in WhatsApp’s beta testing phase will allow users to join groups and chat using usernames rather than phone numbers. This will give users more privacy and control, especially in large or professional group chats.
According to leaked photos, user profiles now include a new “Username” section where users can select custom handles and conceal their phone numbers if they’d like.
The system expands on pre-existing tools such as chat locks and incorporates a four-digit security key for verification. Security experts warn that anonymous usernames could increase scam risks in places like West Africa, even as users in countries like Nigeria and Kenya express excitement about receiving fewer unsolicited messages.
Concerns over WhatsApp’s plan to replace phone numbers with usernames
This update has raised concerns about possible username hoarding and impersonation, even though it may make WhatsApp more like a social network.
According to reports, WhatsApp is creating verification tools to stop this abuse.
Another growing concern is that Meta wants WhatsApp to allow open interaction so it can display active advertisements on users’ status and connect with users who are not on their contact list without seeing their number.
Although the feature is still being tested, if it is fully implemented, it can potentially change the way over two billion users connect, moving WhatsApp’s emphasis from numbers to names.