Meta, in a major push to protect the names and numbers of its WhatsApp users, has decided to take a Telegram-like approach. On Thursday Meta announced the debut of unique usernames for over three billion users of the end-to-end encrypted messaging app. The service is being rolled-out to over 180 countries including the U.S., India, the U.K., and the UAE among others.
Announcing the feature, Meta said it would give users more control over their privacy. They would still be able to exchange credentials to connect on WhatsApp without having to disclose their numbers.
This week onwards, WhatsApp users will start seeing the option to reserve the usernames of their choice, just like Telegram and Instagram. These usernames would come in handy “later this year” when the app makes the feature live.
“With over three billion people on WhatsApp a lot of names overlap, which is why we’re opening reservations early so everyone has the opportunity to select the username that matters to them,” the social networking giant said.
WhatsApp will be presenting a username generation feature to help users select a username.
Businesses, creators, and organizations that have created a visible presence on Facebook and Instagram through a username can use the same one on WhatsApp, given that they reserve the username timely.
The option to pick their WhatsApp usernames will be available as part of the Account option under the main Settings page.
“Once we launch usernames, when you message a person or business for the first time they will no longer see your phone number, if you enabled your username,” Meta noted.
Meta noted that disconnecting phone numbers from online profiles can protect their users from malicious actors. Crucially, removing the phone number as an identifier would save the ability of threat actors to find the real-world identity of potential victims.
The development just days after Meta named Indian tech entrepreneur Kunal Shah as the global CEO of WhatsApp.
