More Privacy? WhatsApp Introduces Usernames

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Meta’s messaging service WhatsApp is rolling out a long‑awaited feature: usernames. In the future, users will be able to choose a unique handle, allowing others to contact them without ever sharing a phone number. The move brings WhatsApp closer to competitors like Signal and Telegram, where usernames have long been standard.

However, the new feature does not replace the need for a phone number during registration. Anyone who wants to use WhatsApp must still provide one.

How the New Feature Works

The username option is already appearing in some test versions of the app. In accounts where the feature has been activated, a dedicated username field now appears in the profile settings.

WhatsApp has set several rules for choosing a username:

Must contain at least one letter
Only lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores
No web addresses
Length between 3 and 25 characters

There is an additional twist: the username must be available across Meta’s platforms. That means the chosen name must also be free on Instagram and Facebook. If the username is already taken— even by the user themselves— it can only be used if the accounts are linked and the identity is verified. Experts see this as another step toward deeper integration between Meta’s services, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.

A Privacy Boost—or a New Risk?

While the feature is designed to protect phone numbers, it may also introduce new privacy concerns. Using the same username across multiple platforms can make users easier to track. Strangers could potentially find someone on WhatsApp simply by recognizing their handle from Instagram or Facebook.

Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has repeatedly warned against using identical usernames across platforms, as it can increase the risk of identity theft.

Whether WhatsApp’s new feature ultimately strengthens or weakens user privacy may depend on how carefully people choose—and separate—their online identities.