Without Mobile Number, WhatsApp Develops Username Features To Add User Privacy

WhatsApp, an instant messaging application used by millions of people around the world. (photo: dock. Pixabay)

JAKARTA - WhatsApp, an instant messaging app used by millions of people around the world, is developing a major update. This application owned by Meta Platform Inc., is developing the ability to set up WhatsApp usernames. This was first reported by the information leak site, WABetaInfo.

This will allow users to send messages to others without having to have their phone number. "WhatsApp users will have the opportunity to add additional layers of privacy to their accounts," WABetaInfo wrote in a blog. "Instead of just relying on phone numbers to identify contacts, users will be able to select unique and easy-to-remember usernames."

WABetaInfo menemukan fitur baru ini dalam versi beta WhatsApp terbaru untuk Android 2.23.11.15. " Meskipun fitur ini masih dalam pengembangan dan belum terlihat secara langsung, kami memiliki sedikit gambaran untuk dibagi," tulisnya, sambil membagikan tangkap layar fitur fitur tersebut.

The screenshot shows the option to add a unique username on the Profile page in the app settings. However, more details on how this feature works are still unclear. "Because this feature is still under development, it's too early to understand how the username will work on WhatsApp," explained WABetaInfo.

"Maybe they will allow users to communicate with businesses privately, protect their phone numbers, or maybe their use will be even wider, enabling private communication with anyone. Time will provide further answers, but we believe that this will revolutionize the way we communicate on WhatsApp in the future," WABetaInfo wrote.

Although WhatsApp has not confirmed this news, some users have expressed their joy on Twitter. "Finally!!! It's time to read something like this and the phone number can be hidden, to be honest it's good!!!" wrote one user.

"It's great to avoid revealing phone numbers while communicating with strangers!" added another. Some joked, "The fight for username claims on WhatsApp is about to start!"

This news comes moments after WhatsApp rolled out the Edit button that lets users change messages up to 15 minutes after sending them. "From correcting simple typos to adding additional contexts to messages, we are pleased to give more control over your chats," WhatsApp said.

To use this tool, press the message that has been sent and select "Edit" from the menu. The message that has been changed will display the "edited" label so that your friend will know of any changes, even though they cannot see the history of the change.

"Like all personal messages, media, and calls, your messages and changes that you make are protected by end-to-end encryption," WhatsApp added.

WhatsApp continues to strive to improve its users' features and experiences by introducing updates like this. With the username feature, users will have more options in maintaining their privacy and communicating with others without having to give their phone number.

Although there has been no official confirmation from WhatsApp regarding this username feature, this news has created enthusiasm among users. If this update is launched, it can be expected that WhatsApp users will be able to enjoy an additional layer of privacy and ease of communicating through this application.