Explained: WhatsApp’s Username Update And What It Means For Your Privacy, Whatsapp new feature, Kunal Shah chief

WhatsApp chats may soon feel more like Instagram, only with stronger privacy controls.

The Meta-owned platform is preparing to introduce usernames, letting users connect without sharing their phone numbers, making interactions more private and less intrusive.

The update marks a shift from the current system, where anyone with your phone number can contact you. WhatsApp, which says it has more than 3 billion users globally, has until now relied on phone numbers as the main way to connect.

The upcoming feature is “designed to protect the privacy of your phone number,” the company said in a statement.

The latest update comes as Indian fintech founder Kunal Shah takes charge of Meta’s WhatsApp, with the company looking to tap into the platform’s vast global reach and evolve it into a “superapp” to capture a larger share of fast-growing online payments.

His appointment coincides with Meta’s $900 million investment in his venture CRED, in which he will retain a roughly 20% stake while stepping back from an executive role.

What Changes With This Update?

With usernames, your phone number will no longer be automatically visible in certain situations. These include:

When you are added to large group chats
When you message a person for the first time

Restricting access in this way means your number stays private unless you choose to share it.

How Will Usernames Work?

Users will be able to pick a unique username that others can use to contact them instead of a phone number.

Usernames must be between three and 35 characters
At its core, it’s designed as a privacy feature rather than a social media identity. There’s no searchable directory or suggestions.
People will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time
A user can set a “username key” to control who can contact them. First-time messages via their username require this key, adding an extra…

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