WhatsApp is introducing a usernames feature that allows users to connect with others without sharing their private phone numbers [1].
This change represents a significant shift for the platform, which has historically required a mobile number for every account. By decoupling identity from phone numbers, the app aims to protect user privacy and streamline how people find each other on the service [1].
WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta Platforms Inc., currently serves over two billion monthly active users worldwide [2]. The company said the feature was announced in 2024 and expected the rollout to occur later that year [3].
The move is designed to make connecting easier while preventing the exposure of personal contact details [1]. However, the transition has not been without friction. In India, the government has asked for a halt to the rollout pending a formal review [4].
Regulators and critics have raised concerns that usernames could facilitate impersonation and create new data-safety risks [4]. While some argue the feature enhances privacy by masking numbers, others suggest it may make it easier for bad actors to create deceptive profiles [1], [4].
Users are being encouraged to reserve their preferred usernames to ensure they secure their desired handles before others take them [3]. This process is part of a global effort to modernize the app's social discovery features, a move that aligns WhatsApp more closely with competitors like Telegram.
“WhatsApp is introducing a usernames feature that lets users connect without sharing their phone numbers.”
The introduction of usernames signals Meta's attempt to pivot WhatsApp from a strict utility for known contacts into a broader social discovery tool. While this reduces the friction of networking, the regulatory pushback in India highlights a growing tension between user convenience and the state's ability to monitor or verify identities to prevent fraud and misinformation.
