WhatsApp is testing a new privacy featureโ thatโ will allow users to reserve usernames,โฃ possiblyโ decoupling โtheir phone numbers from teh messaging app. The beta version of the feature,โข first noted in growth in โ2023, aims to enhance user privacy by โenablingโค communication with new contacts without promptly โsharing phone numbers.
This move comesโ as other messaging platforms prioritize privacy enhancements. Unlike WhatsApp, Signal implemented a similar username feature forโค all users in March of last year, after a โbrief beta period. WhatsApp’s planned feature will alsoโ introduce a PIN requirement for new contacts-those not already in a โuser’s address book-before they can initiate a message,adding an extra layer of security beyond the existing chat protection options. While WhatsApp has not announced a release date, the development signals a shift towardsโ greater privacy controls forโค its billions of users.