WhatsApp is rolling out a major update that will change how users connect with friends and strangers, ditching the need for a mobile number. It marks the biggest change since the app launched almost two decades ago.
The instant messaging platform was first released in 2009, and it has come a long way since. WhatsApp now supports a variety of features, including video and voice calls, file sharing, and community creation.
What the Update Means for Users
The latest update, expected to roll out gradually to the platform's 3.3 billion monthly users, will let people share a personalised username while keeping their mobile number hidden from casual acquaintances and businesses. While the number remains linked to the account, this update is designed to keep personal details under wraps.
Users can stick to the old way of doing things if they prefer. But if people don’t pick a preferred username early, someone else might beat them to it.
How Will the WhatsApp Update Affect Me?
For day-to-day users, the change might not be the most important. But, if you regularly use WhatsApp to buy and sell online or contact people for the first time, creating a username could be an effective way of keeping your phone number private.
WhatsApp says the feature could also be handy for small businesses and organisations that want to maintain a consistent presence online. People will be able to claim the same username they already use on other Meta platforms - Instagram or Facebook.
Writing on Instagram, the consumer watchdog Which? wrote: "WhatsApp is changing in a big way. You’ll soon be able to chat without sharing your phone number thanks to new usernames designed to boost privacy."
Why Is Two-Step Verification Important?
Lisa Barber, Which? Tech editor, said: "This is one of WhatsApp's biggest privacy changes in years and brings it closer to other messaging apps that let people connect without exchanging phone numbers. For many people, that's a welcome improvement, but remember that a username shouldn't be treated as proof that someone is who they claim to be."
"While we're talking WhatsApp security, consider adding two-step verification to your account – it means you'll regularly be asked to enter a PIN to continue using the app. If your phone gets stolen and ends up in the wrong hands, that means your messages will remain locked."
To add this extra layer of defense to your digital identity, follow these steps in your app:
- Open WhatsApp and tap Settings (or the three dots in the top right corner).
- Select Account, then tap Two-step verification.
- Tap Enable (or Turn On).
- Create a 6-digit PIN that you will easily remember.
- Add your email address so you can safely recover your account if you ever forget your PIN.
