London - ALsharqiya, June 3: WhatsApp is preparing to launch a long-awaited new feature that will allow users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers, a significant step aimed at enhancing privacy and protecting personal data.
According to WABetaInfo, the new feature, which is still in testing, first appeared in iOS beta version 25.17.10.70. It allows users to create a unique username that can be used to communicate instead of a phone number, especially when chatting with people outside of their contacts.
This step is similar to what is implemented in applications such as Telegram and Signal, providing greater control over privacy and reducing the chances of tracking or snooping through messages and applications.
New username specifications:
Must be between 3 and 30 characters.
Requires at least one alphabetical character.
Must not begin or end with a period or contain two consecutive colons.
Domain names ending with .com or www are prohibited.
Only lowercase letters, numbers, and periods are allowed. Names must be unique and will not be preceded by symbols such as @, as in Telegram.
Automatic Name Change Notifications:
When a user changes their name, an automatic notification will be sent to all contacts in shared chats to avoid confusion or identity theft. This feature was introduced in beta version 25.11.10.72 on iOS. This update demonstrates WhatsApp's continued commitment to providing a more secure and private user experience, amidst the increasing competition among instant messaging apps.
