WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is launching a new feature that will enable users to chat without disclosing their phone numbers.
The new feature, designed to boost user privacy, will let WhatsApp users chat without having to share their phone numbers, adding an extra layer of confidentiality to the messaging experience.
With this update, users will only see each other’s usernames rather than phone numbers, similar to Telegram’s approach. The feature is being tested in the WhatsApp Beta version 2.24.18.2 for Android.
Once fully rolled out, the new username feature will enable users to create a unique identifier for their WhatsApp account. Users can then share this username to initiate conversations, eliminating the need to exchange phone numbers.
For users who already have each other’s phone numbers saved, their phone numbers will still be visible.
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The Beta version of WhatsApp introduces a new feature to combat spam by requiring a PIN for chatting with users who have not been previously interacted with, even if their username is known.
It remains unclear when these features will be fully rolled out, but reports suggest they may not be available before the end of the year.