Juliet Oladele, Reporting
META-OWNED messaging platform WhatsApp has announced a major privacy update that will allow users to chat without sharing their phone numbers, the company said on Monday.
Instead, users will be able to pick unique usernames to share with others, in a move “designed to protect the privacy of your phone number,” WhatsApp said in a statement.
The update means phone numbers will no longer be automatically shared in cases such as being added to a large group chat or messaging a person or business for the first time, the company added.
“There’s no directory to browse and no suggestions, so people need to know your exact username to contact you,” Meta said.
As with other social media services, the sheer number of people — Meta claims over three billion — using WhatsApp means many may not get their first choice of handle.
The company said it would gradually roll out username reservations worldwide “over the coming months”, notifying users in each country when they open the app.
Meanwhile, “creators, small businesses and organisations” will be allowed to claim WhatsApp usernames that they already use on fellow Meta products Facebook or Instagram.
