WhatsApp is set to let people chat without having to reveal their phone number by exchanging unique usernames instead. The feature is rolling out globally to the platform's three billion account holders over the next few months, according to the Meta-owned firm. This week, users can start reserving a name via the app, although it will not be compulsory.
What Are WhatsApp Usernames?
WhatsApp usernames are a new privacy feature that lets users connect after exchanging only a username, keeping phone numbers private. The firm said people would be able to remove or change their usernames at any time. 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 will be limited to 35 characters and there will be few restrictions, with the exception of some high-profile officials and celebrities whose names will not be made available to anyone else. So it's unlikely WhatsApp will be overrun with users calling themselves Donald Trump, for example.
Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's head of product, said she had heard from users that they didn't always want to share their phone numbers in order to be in contact with others, particularly in group chats. She said she hoped the feature would "give users control over how they choose to show up" on the app.
How Do I Reserve a Username?
According to Meta, WhatsApp usernames will be rolled out "gradually over the coming months" and users will be notified when their username is activated. Those looking to reserve a username on WhatsApp can find it by going to the app, clicking on the "You" tab in the bottom navigation bar and selecting "Account" from the menu. The option to click through and reserve a username will appear once available. It cannot be done on WhatsApp Web or Desktop.
The company has said it will have an option for creators, small businesses and organisations to claim the username they have on Instagram or Facebook for consistency. But anyone else who wishes to match their WhatsApp username to those they have on any other Meta apps will need to link it to their existing accounts on Accounts Centre. That means some of your data is shared across multiple Meta accounts, such as Threads and Messenger. Some people have complained on social media that the option to reserve a username has not appeared for them yet. The company has told people to "make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp downloaded and keep an eye on your app".
Privacy Concerns
The secure messaging app Signal introduced an identical service in 2024. "It is a good feature, but even if it does offer more privacy, remember WhatsApp is not a privacy-friendly app overall," said Carisa Veliz, a professor at Oxford University and author of Privacy is Power. "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."
WhatsApp does not use the content of private chats for advertising. Those are protected by end-to-end encryption, meaning the firm cannot read the contents of messages. But it does use data - such as your general location and basic account information such as age - to support advertising. Once the feature is fully rolled out, individual phone numbers will no longer be visible on WhatsApp. There will be no public username directory, and phone numbers will still be required in order to have a WhatsApp account in the first place.
| Feature | Signal (2024) | |
|---|---|---|
| Username support | Rolling out | Already introduced |
| Phone number required for account | Yes | Yes |
| End-to-end encryption | Yes | Yes |
| Metadata collection for ads | Yes | No |
For enterprise technology leaders, the rollout of usernames in a platform used by three billion accounts underscores the ongoing tension between user privacy and data monetisation. While the feature addresses a specific privacy need—masking phone numbers—it does not alter the underlying data-sharing model with Meta's advertising ecosystem. Organisations that rely on WhatsApp for business communication should evaluate how this change affects their data governance policies and consider whether the convenience of usernames outweighs the broader privacy implications flagged by experts like Carisa Veliz.
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