Popular messaging applicaton WhatsApp has announced it's introducing a username feature that will allow users to chat without revealing their phone numbers.
Instead, the Meta-owned app said, people will exchange their usernames instead.
"You can reserve a username to use later this year when we launch this feature," WhatsApp said in an update on it's blog on Monday.
"For most people, choosing a WhatsApp username should be something unique that only people you want to contact you will know. If you need help picking one, we have a username generator to make one work just for you. We also know that some people like creators, small businesses, and organisations may want to maintain a consistent presence online. For them, we reserved an option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp."
The update, it says, is intended to make the app even more private by hiding mobile phone numbers.
"Once we launch usernames, when you message a person or business for the first time they will no longer see your phone number, if you enabled your username."
