Why Is WhatsApp Replacing Phone Numbers With Usernames?

News Desk

Islamabad: Instant messaging platform ‘WhatsApp’ has announced the introduction of a new ‘username’ feature aimed at strengthening user privacy by allowing people to connect without sharing their phone numbers.

In a statement, the company said users will soon be able to create a unique username, enabling family members, friends and other contacts to communicate with them without needing access to their mobile number.

According to ‘Meta’, the new feature will help prevent users’ phone numbers from being automatically shared in situations such as joining WhatsApp groups or messaging a person or organisation for the first time.

Once a username is created, anyone wishing to contact a user on WhatsApp will need to know that person’s username rather than their phone number.

Meta noted that, with nearly ‘three billion WhatsApp users’ worldwide, not everyone may be able to obtain their preferred username because each username must be unique.

The company also said that usernames associated with well-known personalities and senior government officials will be restricted to reduce the risk of impersonation, fraud and misuse.

The username feature is part of WhatsApp’s broader efforts to enhance user privacy and security while making it easier for people to communicate without revealing personal contact information.