By Hafiz Rahat Usama 
Meta-Owned App Moves Toward Greater User Anonymity
In a move aimed at bolstering user privacy, WhatsApp is reportedly working on a ‘usernames’ feature, allowing users to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers. The upcoming update represents a significant shift in how the messaging platform, owned by Meta, handles identity and contact discovery.
The feature, which is currently under development and was first spotted in the beta version of the app, is expected to mirror similar privacy models already used in platforms like Telegram. It will allow users to create unique usernames that can be used to initiate chats without needing to disclose a personal phone number — a core identity element on WhatsApp since its inception.
A Step Towards Privacy-First Communication
According to insiders and reports from beta testers, the username feature will allow WhatsApp users to select a unique handle (such as @johnsmith) which others can use to find and message them. This feature aims to reduce reliance on phone numbers for initiating contact, providing users with more control over who can access their personal information.
This development is aligned with the broader shift across tech platforms toward privacy-first communication, as users become increasingly concerned about data security, identity theft, and unwanted exposure. Once implemented, usernames could dramatically change how business communication, group interactions, and community engagement take place on WhatsApp.
How the Username Feature Will Work
Based on information from early beta versions, the new feature will be located within the Profile settings, where users can choose and reserve a unique username. While WhatsApp has not officially revealed the launch date, the interface suggests a structure similar to Instagram or Twitter handles.
Users will reportedly have the option to:
- Set a unique username under profile settings
- Search for other users by their usernames
- Start chats without needing their phone number
- Maintain control over who can find them via username
Unlike traditional contact methods on WhatsApp, this feature is expected to be end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that the privacy and security standards remain intact.
Business and Group Chat Implications
The introduction of usernames is particularly important for business accounts and large community groups. It enables companies to engage with customers without needing to share specific phone lines and gives users a safer way to reach out to brands.
In community groups, where members often do not know each other personally, the username system can offer a layer of anonymity, reducing the risks associated with exposing private numbers to strangers.
This change may also benefit influencers, creators, and small businesses who use WhatsApp for outreach but want to maintain a degree of separation from their personal contact details.
Comparison With Telegram and Other Messaging Apps
The username model is already in use on competing platforms like Telegram, where it’s been widely praised for improving privacy and discoverability. WhatsApp has traditionally lagged behind in such features, opting to keep the platform more phone-number centric.
However, as user expectations evolve and regulatory pressure on data protection grows, WhatsApp appears to be adapting. Introducing usernames would bring the platform more in line with modern communication norms, particularly in global markets where anonymity is valued.
Telegram’s success with usernames — allowing people to chat without exchanging numbers — has been seen as a key driver of its growth. WhatsApp appears to be taking cues from that success while enhancing its own ecosystem with greater encryption and trust.
Privacy and Security Considerations
Security experts have noted that the username feature will only be a positive move if implemented with robust privacy controls. Users should be able to choose whether their username is searchable, block unwanted contact attempts, and change usernames if needed.
WhatsApp is reportedly building in anti-spam protections and identity verification tools to accompany the feature. It will also likely include restrictions on impersonation or name-squatting, although how these mechanisms will work is yet to be confirmed.
Some analysts have speculated that usernames may also be integrated into WhatsApp’s upcoming cross-platform messaging plans, potentially allowing seamless communication between WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram in the future.