WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that will allow its three billion account holders to chat without sharing their phone numbers – by exchanging unique usernames instead. The Meta-owned firm said the feature will be available globally over the next few months, with users able to start reserving a name from Monday. It will not be compulsory, and people can remove or change their usernames at any time.
The move comes as the secure messaging app Signal introduced an identical service in 2024. Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's head of product, said she had heard from users that they did not always want to share their phone numbers to be in contact with others, particularly in group chats. She hoped the feature would "give users control over how they choose to show up" on the app.
“WhatsApp is introducing usernames to let users chat without revealing phone numbers, rolling out globally over months.”
Once fully activated, WhatsApp users will be able to connect after exchanging usernames only. There will still be options to block or report unwanted messages. Names are limited to 35 characters, with few restrictions – except for some high-profile officials and celebrities whose names will not be made available to anyone else. So it is unlikely WhatsApp will be overrun with users calling themselves Donald Trump, for example.
However, not everyone is convinced the feature addresses deeper privacy concerns. Carisa Veliz, a professor at Oxford University and author of Privacy is Power, said: "It is a good feature, but even if it does offer more privacy, remember WhatsApp is not a privacy-friendly app overall. It collects much metadata about users for marketing purposes. We have to remember that WhatsApp is owned by Meta – one of the tech companies with the worst track records when it comes to privacy."
The usernames feature also comes with limits. There will be no public username directory, and phone numbers will still be required to have a WhatsApp account in the first place. Individual phone numbers will no longer be visible on WhatsApp once the feature is fully rolled out.
WhatsApp recently announced Kunal Shah, the founder of an Indian fintech start-up, would be taking over as head of the platform – with Will Cathcart stepping down after seven years in the role. The minimum age for using the platform is 13, and messaging apps will not be included in the UK's upcoming social media ban for under-16s, due to be implemented next year.
While the feature gives users more control over who sees their number, questions remain about whether it truly protects privacy when the platform's parent company is known for data collection.