The popular messaging application WhatsApp is set to introduce a new feature that will enhance user privacy by enabling communication without the need to share phone numbers. According to technology journalist Pico Suárez and the Spanish portal Computer Hoy, the Meta platform is developing a system that will allow users to create unique usernames or aliases.
This feature is designed to mimic identification systems used by social networks like Instagram, as well as messaging competitors such as Telegram and Signal. It prioritizes the protection of users” phone numbers, which will remain hidden during interactions. The new functionality was identified by WABetaInfo in a beta version for iOS.
Username Creation Rules
The world”s most widely used messaging app has implemented specific guidelines for creating these unique identifiers. Future usernames will need to:
- Include at least one letter.
- Contain only lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.
- Not start with “www.”
Once a username is chosen and validated, it will be displayed in chats and groups, replacing the phone number for contacts that are not saved. Although the feature is still in the design and development phase, a release to beta testers is anticipated soon, according to WABetaInfo.
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