WhatsApp Big Privacy Update: Now chat will be done with Username, not mobile number; Know how it will work

Lucknow: If you avoid sharing your mobile number while chatting with a new or unknown person on WhatsApp, then your worry may soon end. WhatsApp has officially announced its new Username system, through which in future users will be able to contact each other without revealing the mobile number.

According to the company, this feature has been developed with the aim of making the privacy of users more secure than before.

Now username will be in place of mobile number

In the new system of WhatsApp, every user will be able to choose a unique Username for his account. After this there will be no need to share mobile number to start chatting with anyone. The other person will be able to contact only through Username.

Username reservation will start next week

According to the company, Username Reservation will be started from next week. After this, this feature will be released to users around the world in a phased manner and the aim is to complete its widespread rollout by the end of the year.

Privacy will get additional protection

WhatsApp has stated in its official blog that the main objective of this feature is to increase the security of users’ personal information.

There will be no public username directory available in this system. That means no one will be able to find your account just by searching your name. In order for someone to contact you, they will need to know your correct username.

Apart from this, when someone chats with you for the first time, he will not see your mobile number.

Work is also going on on ‘Username Key’ feature

WhatsApp is also working on an additional security feature, Optional Username Key. If the user activates this option, knowing the username alone will not be sufficient. The other person will be able to send the message only if he has the prescribed ‘Key’.

This feature is being developed with the aim of providing additional protection to users from unwanted messages and possible spam.

You can also reserve Instagram and Facebook usernames

WhatsApp has said that content creators, small businesses and various organizations will also be able to reserve their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp.

If a preferred username isn’t already available, WhatsApp’s Username Generator tool will suggest similar alternatives.

This is how you can set WhatsApp Username

Once this feature is available in your account, it can be activated in these simple steps—

-Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
-Go to Settings.
-Open Account option.
-Tap on the Username option.
-Select the available username and save it.

At present this feature is not available for all users and it will be rolled out in a phased manner.

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