WhatsApp is preparing to roll out a feature that will enable users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers, by exchanging unique identification names instead of numbers.
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The platform said that it will gradually roll out the feature globally in the coming months, reaching about three billion accounts on the app.
Starting this week, some users will be able to reserve a username via the app, but the use of this feature will remain optional.
The company added that users will be able to delete or change their identification at any time.
Once the feature is fully rolled out, WhatsApp users will be able to communicate once they exchange their passwords, with options to block or report spam still available.
The meta name will be limited to a maximum of 35 characters, with limited restrictions that include preventing the names of certain prominent public figures, officials and celebrities from being made available to any other user.
Therefore, the app is unlikely to be filled with accounts with names like "Donald Trump," for example.
WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, has described the aliases as a feature aimed at promoting privacy.
Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's head of products, said she had heard from users that they didn't always want to share their phone numbers to communicate with others, especially within group chats.
She added that she hopes the feature will give users "more control over how they choose to appear on the app."
How can I reserve the identification name?
According to Meta, WhatsApp's meta names will be rolled out "gradually over the coming months," and users will receive a notification when the feature is activated on their accounts.
Those wishing to reserve a name will be able to do so via their account or in-app profile settings.
The option to reserve your ID will automatically appear once it is available to the account.
This process cannot be performed via WhatsApp Web or the desktop version.
The company also said it will provide an option for content creators, small businesses and organizations to claim the same alias they use on Instagram or Facebook, in order to maintain consistency across Meta's platforms.
Users who wish to use the same name on other Meta apps will need to link their accounts via the Account Center.
This means sharing some user data between their various Meta accounts, such as Threads and Messenger.
Some users on social media complained that they have not yet seen the option to reserve a password.
The company responded by saying, "Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed, and keep an eye on the app."
"It collects a great deal of meta data about users for marketing purposes."
"We have to remember that WhatsApp is owned by Meta, which is one of the tech companies with the worst record in privacy."
WhatsApp does not use the content of private conversations for advertising purposes, as these conversations are subject to end-to-end encryption, which means the company cannot read messages.
However, it uses some data, such as approximate location and basic account information, such as age, to support advertising activities.
Once the feature is fully rolled out, phone numbers will no longer be visible to other users on WhatsApp.
There will be no public directory of identical names, and the phone number will remain a prerequisite for creating a WhatsApp account.
Some users have raised concerns that the meta names could open the door to more scams across the platform.
In response to a question from an X user about the means of protection, the company said that it adopts "several layers of defense."
It added that users can choose to add a "meta name key," a short numeric code, so that others can only communicate with them if they know the name and the key associated with it.
