WhatsApp, the world’s leading messaging application, is reportedly gearing up to introduce a significant change that will fundamentally alter the traditional way users initiate calls. A recent report suggests that in the near future, WhatsApp users may no longer need a phone number to contact or call another person; instead, they will be able to use a Username.
According to a report by the technical news source Wabetainfo, WhatsApp is developing a feature that will allow users to search for, chat with, and call other users by searching for their username, rather than their phone number. An indication of this feature was spotted in the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android devices.
Username System to Boost Privacy
The primary advantage of this new system is an increase in privacy and security. Users will be able to contact others easily without having to share their contact details (phone number). This is a welcome solution, especially for those who are hesitant to share their numbers in the public domain. A similar feature is already available on other messaging apps like Signal.
How the Feature Will Function
The new report confirms that the feature is still under development and not yet available even to beta users. However, through this feature, users will be able to search for others using the search bar in the Calls tab by typing their username.
- Calling Method: Upon typing the correct username, initiating a voice or video call will be possible.
- Privacy Control: The ability to see the other person’s profile photo and place a call will depend on the recipient’s personal privacy settings.
This username-based system will provide WhatsApp users with added privacy by removing the necessity of sharing their phone number. However, the specific details regarding the username format, availability, and user controls remain unclear at this stage.
