WhatsApp to roll out new username feature for enhanced privacy

WhatsApp, a popular messaging app owned by Meta, is implementing a new username feature to enhance user experience.

According to a report by Wabetainfo, the username feature will allow WhatsApp users to users to create usernames. By using usernames, users can potentially avoid the need to share personal phone numbers or QR codes to initiate conversations.

Presently, the sole method of adding someone on WhatsApp is through their phone number. The new privacy-focused feature aims to change all that by letting users add people to their WhatsApp contacts through usernames only. The feature will significantly enhance privacy and grant users greater control over who can access their personal contact numbers.

📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.11.15: what's new?

WhatsApp is working on a feature to set up a WhatsApp username, and it will be available in a future update of the app!https://t.co/2yMpvlvkdo pic.twitter.com/s60sQdy9jP

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) May 24, 2023

Please note that WhatsApp has not officially announced a release date for the new feature. However, the most recent beta version (version 2.23.11.15) reportedly includes concealed code that hints at its potential inclusion in a future update.

WhatsApp has been consistently rolling out new features amid competition from other platforms like Signal and Telegram. One such feature is message editing. It allows users to modify messages they have sent within a 15-minute window. Once a message has been edited, an “edited” label will appear alongside the timestamp.

Another privacy-focussed feature is the chat lock feature, which was introduced in May. The feature allows users to secure specific chats with a password or biometric authentication.