Meta is preparing to roll out a new security feature for more than 3 billion WhatsApp users worldwide over the coming months.
Under the new feature, WhatsApp users will be able to connect with others using a unique username instead of sharing their personal phone number.
The feature will be optional, allowing users who wish to do so to reserve a username of their choice. Usernames can contain up to 35 letters and symbols.
WhatsApp has also implemented measures to prevent fake accounts from being created using the names of well-known politicians and other public figures.
Although a phone number will still be required to create a new WhatsApp account, the username feature will enable users to keep their phone numbers private, particularly when interacting with unknown people in group chats, according to WhatsApp Product Head Alice Newton-Rex.
