WhatsApp messenger to begin offering usernames

The hundreds of millions who use Meta-owned messenger WhatsApp to chat with family, friends or businesses will no longer need to share phone numbers under a coming update, the company said Monday.
nInstead, people will be able to pick unique usernames to share with others, in a move “designed to protect the privacy of your phone number,” WhatsApp said in a statement.
nRestricting access to phone numbers would mean they are not shared automatically in cases such as being added to a large group chat or messaging person or business for the first time, the company added.
nWhat’s more “there’s no directory to browse and no suggestions, so people need to know your exact username to contact you,” Meta said.
nAs with other social media services, the sheer number of people — Meta claims over three billion — using WhatsApp means many may not get their first choice of handle.
nThe company said it would gradually roll out username reservations worldwide “over the coming months”, notifying users in each country when they open there.
nMeanwhile, “creators, small businesses and organizations” will be allowed to claim WhatsApp usernames that they already use on fellow Meta products Facebook or Instagram.
nAFP
n nRelated Stories
General NewsCELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME
Tomorrow, 14TH March 2026, as we look forward to the second anniversary, we reflect on the remarkable two years since the Administrator of the Preside
General NewsPRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME PHASE 3: DISREGARD PURPORTED STATEMENT ON DELAYED ITA PAYMENTS — OFFICE OF NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
The Office of the National Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme Phase 3, General Elaye ThankGod Dollar Slaboh, has called on beneficiaries a
General NewsRE: CLARIFICATION ON MY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
PUBLIC NOTICErnrnRE: CLARIFICATION ON MY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPSrnrnIt has become necessary to make this public clarification following the increasing
