Overview
- On Monday WhatsApp began letting users reserve optional usernames now, with the full username-based messaging experience to roll out gradually later this year.
- If a user enables a username, people who contact them for the first time will not see their phone number, though phone numbers remain required for account creation.
- WhatsApp will not offer a public or searchable username directory and is adding an optional username key that others must know to message someone for the first time.
- Creators, small businesses and organisations can claim matching Instagram or Facebook handles, with some cross-account linking through Meta’s Accounts Centre required in some cases.
- WhatsApp says it will reserve high-profile names, limit new-contact volumes and use automated detection to curb impersonation, but officials and experts have flagged scam risks and regulators in India may review the feature.