The instant messaging app WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, is about to roll out a new feature that would let users converse without disclosing their phone numbers.
With the ability to speak without disclosing their phone numbers, WhatsApp users will be able to enjoy a significantly higher level of privacy on the platform thanks to this feature, which aims to improve user privacy and messaging experience.
Instead, the person they are conversing with will only be able to see their username—a feature that has already been successfully deployed by platforms like Telegram.
The messaging app is now conducting a test run for its 2.24.18.2 version of WhatsApp for Android, which was published.
When the username function is fully operational, users will be able to generate a distinctive identity that will be connected to their WhatsApp account.
Users of WhatsApp will also be able to initiate chats with others by sharing their usernames without exchanging phone numbers.
The phone number will still be displayed for users who have already saved each other’s phone numbers.
By requiring a PIN (at least four digits) for users to chat—even if they know their username—who have never interacted with other users before, another innovation in the beta version will help decrease spam.
It’s unknown when the PIN support and username functionality will leave beta, but according to a few rumors, Meta’s messaging platform is not expected to launch the feature before the end of the year.
Prior rumors said that WhatsApp was working on a new function that would let users reshare status updates in which they were mentioned, much like Instagram does.
Currently in development, this feature will make it easier to share status updates that include tagged users.
Resharing status updates where one has been mentioned is made easier for users to do using the “Reshare Status Updates” feature, which allows them to share content with their contacts.
