₦airaland Forum

WhatsApp has announced one of its biggest privacy updates in years, allowing users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers.

The Meta owned messaging platform said nearly three billion users worldwide will soon be able to create unique usernames that can be shared instead of phone numbers when connecting with new people. The feature will begin rolling out globally over the coming months, while users can start reserving their preferred usernames from Monday.

According to WhatsApp, usernames will be optional and can be changed or removed at any time. Once the rollout is complete, users will be able to start conversations simply by exchanging usernames, making it easier to protect personal phone numbers, especially in group chats and when interacting with people they do not know well.

Alice Newton Rex, WhatsApp's Head of Product, said the new feature was introduced after many users expressed concerns about having to share their personal phone numbers just to stay in touch with others.

The company also confirmed that users will still be able to block and report unwanted contacts. Phone numbers will remain necessary for creating a WhatsApp account, but they will no longer be visible during conversations conducted through usernames.

Usernames will be limited to 35 characters, while names belonging to certain public officials and high profile celebrities will be protected to reduce impersonation and identity abuse.

The feature is similar to one introduced by Signal in 2024. However, some privacy experts have noted that although WhatsApp uses end to end encryption to protect the content of messages, Meta still collects metadata such as who users communicate with and when, which helps support its advertising business.

The update is expected to significantly improve user privacy while giving people greater control over how they connect with others on one of the world's most popular messaging platforms.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dykk3135xo

This will be highly utilized by young adults. I used to enjoy anonymous features of this sort since they offered the prospect to meet multiple women. I’m older now. I don’t need attention of any sort — especially from worthless females.

Mark wants to integrate WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. This is a first step. Where will one get the contacts to chat with after setting up the username if not from Facebook? Nobody will go around asking for WhatsApp usernames apart from 17 - 24/26 year olds.

I have reserved Don Piiko as my WhatsApp username.

A welcoming development.

Far behind telegram. Dem no go still gree.

Hmmmm. Bringing back 2go memories

Chopping and changing a product that’s not broken. Soon he’ll make using WhatsApp feel like a chore just because he wants it to become a revenue generating app

Nice
Nice
Nice
Nice
Nice

It's a great way to chat though

Too many changes to WhatsApp is making the app lose its essence.

WhatsApp was supposed to be a strictly chatting app using phone number.

Why would I be hiding my number from people who should ideally have it (friends, colleagues, family)

WhatsApp too do abeg

Nice one ...following telegram path

Nice, this is very good development, more privacy

I have reserved Falseprophet as my username. please nobody should take it. I'll use it to prophesy day and night to all my whatsapp contacts.

This I have seen.

It's finished
Scammers will use it to cash out plenty

Something wey i don delete from my phone

Somethi g Telegram has implemented since 2014.

Americans will be making a storm in a teacup about simple features.

If not for our the visionless folks who call themselves elites. All this twitter, facebook, whatsapp etc are simple apps that you can easily build.

The only challenge is hiring a good architect and that is very doable.

Scammers go happy dieee

Hmmm
Interesting update

WhatsApp has a problem: New members added to groups cannot see old messages in the group, unlike telegram
But telegram isn't that popular, unlike WhatsApp. WhatsApp even has its own data bundle

I believe WhatsApp team know this and would be working on it.

Here's what I think they'd do: Offer a paid plan so that old messages in groups can be saved.

I will not allow this to happen in my phone .. What's all this

eepeepook:
This will be highly utilized by young adults. I used to enjoy anonymous features of this sort since they offered the prospect to meet multiple women. I’m older now. I don’t need attention of any sort — especially from worthless females.

Mark wants to integrate WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. This is a first step. Where will one get the contacts to chat with after setting up the username if not from Facebook? Nobody will go around asking for WhatsApp usernames apart from 17 - 24/26 year olds.

Woman kiiiiii you there

This is a game spoiler for guy men

No more give me your WhatsApp line let's chat more, which has always been the easiest way to get dem Bannies number

Profound intelligence shown here. Seun must be proud of such Nairaland member.

Apcshit:
Woman kiiiiii you there

WhatsApp is supposed to be private! Someone should tell MZ that...

Whatsapp reducing the avenue for we shy men to toast strangers . We need to actively chat random babes in groups

Ladies customers will indirectly be affected o

Very good.
The "let's switch to WhatsApp" crew won't like this.
They just do that to get someone's number and start disturbing their peace.

Nicoddemus:
Not good for me because I will not be collecting babe number

One of them spotted already 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Of you want a babe's number, just ask for her number instead of the tactic of asking to switch to WhatsApp chat.
Facebook chat is also a chat.

About time. Its taken too long.

Already secured mine!

It's all still part of finding out who we are without saying it. A pin like BBM would have been better.

YoungLionken:
WhatsApp is supposed to be private! Someone should tell MZ that...

They know what they are doing. It's how LinkedIn wants our digital ID just to be verified. They want your personal information by all means. Whoever can protect their privacy in this 1984 century is keeping gold