WhatsApp may soon allow you to reserve usernames that will serve as the message mode and prevent you from sharing mobile numbers. As BlackBerry did with BB ID many years ago, the messaging software is exploring new ways to assist users in hiding their phone number from the account and instead relying on usernames.
Although it has not yet reached all users, the new WhatsApp feature is now being tested in the Android beta version and should do so within the next few months.
The Significance of the WhatsApp Reserve Username
In their most recent post, WaBetaInfo noticed the feature and provides additional information about how the username will function and what it means for the user to reserve one. Even a screenshot of the new feature and its operation within the app has been given by the tipster.
As you can see, the “reserve username” option is part of the new Username option in the profile settings. According to the tipster, usernames will only be available to certain users, so if you hide your cell number, random WhatsApp messages won’t be able to reach you.
Additionally, WhatsApp is probably going to allow users to reserve their usernames before someone else takes them, similar to how users were able to customize their email addresses.
However, how can usernames improve your privacy? According to the article, WhatsApp would ban usernames that end in “www” to prevent users from copying a platform or website.
It may contain special symbols in addition to letters, numbers, and characters. Additionally, the username will include a key that you may distribute to friends and familiar contacts to prevent unsolicited or unfamiliar messages—or even scammers—from flooding your WhatsApp chat feed.
This seems like a crucial step in keeping users from receiving arbitrary communications. However, with Meta AI at the heart of its modifications, many will undoubtedly start to worry about WhatsApp as Meta plans to use the platform to personalize its advertising business starting in December of this year.
While Arattai by Zoho, which is made in India, does not provide messages (just calls), the messaging app does offer end-to-end encryption. However, if the advertisements start to get unpleasant, the existence of AI can alter the perception of WhatsApp.
