WhatsApp adds optional usernames so users can hide phone numbers

Meta's WhatsApp is set to roll out optional usernames over the coming months, allowing users to communicate without displaying their phone numbers. The feature will be available as an opt‑in option; a phone number will still be required to create an account, but it can be hidden in individual and group chats once a username is selected.

Reservation of a desired username opens now, with names limited to 35 characters, containing at least one letter and no domain suffixes. Users can change or delete the name later, and no public directory will be provided – the exact name must be known to start a conversation. The service may be linked to other Meta platforms, though this is optional.

Meta frames the change as a "important privacy feature," but analysts warn it could expose users to new fraud risks because the previous phone-number check acted as a security barrier. Critics note that scammers already exploit WhatsApp groups, and the broader visibility of usernames may create new attack vectors.