WhatsApp is set to allow people to chat without revealing their phone number by sharing unique usernames instead.
The platform says it will be available globally to the platform’s three billion account holders over the next few months.
From Monday, users will be able to reserve a name through the app, although this will not be mandatory.
The firm said people will be able to delete or change their usernames at any time.
Once fully activated, WhatsApp users will only be able to connect after exchanging usernames. You will still have the option to block or report unwanted messages.
Names will be limited to 35 characters and there will be few restrictions, except for some high-ranking officials and celebrities whose names will not be available to anyone else.
So it’s unlikely that WhatsApp will be flooded with users calling themselves, for example, Donald Trump.
The Meta-owned firm described usernames as a privacy feature.
Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s head of product, said she has heard from users that they don’t always want to share their phone numbers to keep in touch with others, especially in group chats.
She said she hopes the feature will “give users control over how they are displayed” in the app.