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Dev Tools · 1h ago

WhatsApp to Launch Usernames, Ditching Phone Number Sharing

By Meridian48 News Desk · Summarised from BBC Technology ·

WhatsApp is rolling out a usernames feature globally over the next few months, allowing users to chat without sharing phone numbers. The update aims to enhance privacy by letting people connect via a unique handle. This move aligns with Meta's broader push to make WhatsApp more competitive with messaging apps like Telegram and Signal.

Meridian48 take
Usernames are a long-overdue privacy upgrade, but the real test will be how WhatsApp handles abuse and spam without phone number verification.
Read the full reporting
WhatsApp to let people chat without swapping phone numbers →
BBC Technology
whatsappprivacy
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