Big news on the WhatsApp platform: Select a nick, and the phone number will no longer be visible
WhatsApp, which has around three billion accounts worldwide, announced a major update allowing users to choose usernames instead of displaying their phone numbers. Users will soon be able to reserve a username through the app, though it will not be mandatory. Once fully implemented, connecting to WhatsApp will be possible only via username exchange, while blocking and reporting unwanted messages will remain available. Usernames will be limited to 35 characters with certain restrictions, and names of high-profile individuals and celebrities will not be available to other users. The feature aims to give users more control over how they appear in the app, particularly in group chats. The rollout will happen gradually over the next few months, and users will be notified when the option becomes available. However, the feature will not be accessible on WhatsApp Web or desktop versions. Additionally, creators, small businesses, and organizations can transfer existing usernames from Instagram or Facebook for consistency, requiring account linking via Meta’s Account Center. Some users have expressed frustration on social media about the delayed availability of the feature, with Meta urging
WhatsApp has announced a major transformation set to begin this week, allowing users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers. Instead, unique usernames will replace phone numbers as identifiers within the application. This change marks a significant shift in how users interact on one of the world's most popular messaging platforms, which currently serves over three billion users globally.
The new feature allows users to reserve a username within the app starting this week, though it will not be mandatory. Users can choose to change or delete their selected username at any time. Once fully activated, connecting with someone will require knowing only their username. Usernames will be limited to 35 characters and must be unique worldwide. Additionally, profiles of high-profile individuals and celebrities will be protected to prevent impersonation.
This move comes in response to user demands for greater privacy, particularly in large group chats where sharing phone numbers might be undesirable. Similar functionality was introduced earlier this year by competing apps such as Signal. The introduction of usernames aims to streamline communication with businesses and organizations, as users won't need to know specific phone numbers but rather the organization’s chosen username, already established on other Meta-owned platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Despite these privacy enhancements, experts caution that WhatsApp still collects substantial metadata for marketing purposes. While the content of messages remains encrypted and unreadable by WhatsApp itself, the company tracks who users communicate with and when, using this data to target advertisements. Although phone numbers will no longer appear on user profiles or be part of a public directory, they remain necessary for initial registration and account recovery.
The implementation of usernames coincides with leadership changes at WhatsApp, as Kunal Shah takes over from Will Cathcart, who has stepped down after seven years in the role. This transition occurs amid broader concerns about Meta's dominance in digital communications and potential regulatory scrutiny, especially following recent actions taken against the company by Google.
In Italy, the feature is available for reservation and will become operational throughout the year. Users must have the latest version of the app and navigate to settings, then account, followed by username. The identifier must consist of between three and thirty-five characters, combining letters, numbers, periods, or underscores, ensuring uniqueness across the globe. For those struggling to find an available name, an automated generator suggests suitable alternatives. Small businesses, creators, and organizations benefit from being able to retain existing usernames used on Instagram or Facebook, maintaining consistent identification across platforms.
WhatsApp has opted not to include an internal search directory or suggestion system for discovering new profiles, meaning users must know exact usernames to initiate conversations. To further protect user profiles, WhatsApp introduces an optional four-digit "username key" that users can set. If a contact attempts to message someone using just the username, they must also enter this code. Incorrect entries or lack of knowledge result in messages being placed in a separate folder away from the main inbox. Once fully implemented, phone numbers will remain invisible to others during conversations, provided the option is enabled.
While this update addresses privacy concerns, it follows a period of delayed action compared to competitors like Signal and Telegram, which have long allowed communication without requiring phone numbers. Nonetheless, the introduction of usernames promises to simplify interactions with organizations and companies, as users can now rely on familiar usernames instead of memorizing specific phone numbers associated with entities on other Meta platforms.
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WhatsApp, najpopularnija aplikacija na svijetu, priprema veliku promjenu koja omogućuje korisnicima dopisivanje bez otkrivanja mobilnih brojeva. Umjesto toga, korisnici će koristiti jedinstvena korisnička imena, što će biti dostupno tri milijarde korisnicima u narednim mjesecima. Opcija nije obavezna, a korisnici mogu mijenjati ili brisati svoja imena. Nova funkcija će omogućiti povezivanje putem imena, a imena će biti ograničena na 35 znakova. Profili slavnih osoba i političara bit će zaštićeni kako bi se spriječilo lažno predstavljanje. Opcija je uvedena kao odgovor na zahtjeve korisnika koji ne žele dijeliti svoj broj, posebno u velikim grupama. Konkurent Signal je već uveo sličnu opciju 2024. godine. Stručnjaci za sigurnost upozoravaju da WhatsApp, iako ne čita sadržaj poruka, prati ponašanje korisnika za ciljove marketinga. Google je također napravio radikalni potez protiv Meta, u pozadini straha od dominacije Marka Zuckerberga. Dodatno, opasne poruke na WhatsApp-u mogu biti opasne, a Hrvati su uključeni u njih. Minimalna dobna granica ostaje 13 godina, a aplikacije za dopisivanje bit će izuzete iz britanske zabrane za mlađe od 16 godina. Transformacija dolazi i uz smjenu na v
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a technological change by WhatsApp, which has implications for user privacy and data collection practices. While the technical update itself is not inherently politically charged, the broader context includes concerns about corporate surveillance, data privacy, and regulatory抨
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 75): Very close to the primary source, includes additional context about Signal and security experts' warnings. Maintains factual accuracy. Objectivity dips slightly due to inclusion of external opinions and a more critical tone towards Meta’s privacy record.
OpenIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 854 days ago
Meta has introduced a new feature on WhatsApp allowing users to register and communicate using unique usernames instead of their phone numbers. This change aims to make it easier for creators, businesses, and organizations to maintain consistent digital identities across platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Users can now choose a username between three and thirty-five characters, combining letters, numbers, dots, or underscores, ensuring global uniqueness. The feature is currently in a pre-registration phase and will roll out globally 'throughout the year,' including in Italy. However, unlike other social networks, WhatsApp does not provide a public directory or search function for finding profiles by username. Additionally, users can set an optional four-digit code to further protect their profile from unsolicited messages.
Bias read (Center): The article discusses a technological update to WhatsApp, focusing on user experience improvements and privacy features. It provides factual information about the new functionality without taking a stance or showing bias toward any political ideology.
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 85): Clear and concise, covers essential elements like username function, registration process, and limitations. Uses Italian language but maintains factual integrity. Neutral tone, provides useful context without bias or embellishment.
Dnevni avazParty-alignedCenterFactual 85Objective 803 days ago
WhatsApp, which has around three billion accounts worldwide, announced a major update allowing users to choose usernames instead of displaying their phone numbers. Users will soon be able to reserve a username through the app, though it will not be mandatory. Once fully implemented, connecting to WhatsApp will be possible only via username exchange, while blocking and reporting unwanted messages will remain available. Usernames will be limited to 35 characters with certain restrictions, and names of high-profile individuals and celebrities will not be available to other users. The feature aims to give users more control over how they appear in the app, particularly in group chats. The rollout will happen gradually over the next few months, and users will be notified when the option becomes available. However, the feature will not be accessible on WhatsApp Web or desktop versions. Additionally, creators, small businesses, and organizations can transfer existing usernames from Instagram or Facebook for consistency, requiring account linking via Meta’s Account Center. Some users have expressed frustration on social media about the delayed availability of the feature, with Meta urging
Bias read (Center): The article discusses a technological update to WhatsApp, focusing on user privacy features such as the ability to use usernames instead of phone numbers. It provides factual information about the new feature, its implementation timeline, and technical limitations. There is no explicit political or
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 80): Accurate representation of the primary source, covering key points like username reservation, limitations, and privacy implications. Minor omissions in details about linking to other Meta platforms, but overall faithful. Tone remains neutral though slightly promotional in style.
Gazeta ExpressIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 854 days ago
The article reports that WhatsApp is planning to allow users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers by introducing unique usernames. This feature, reported by the BBC, will be rolled out globally to three billion users over several months. Users will be able to reserve a username through the app, though this will not be mandatory. The change aims to enhance privacy, allowing users to change or remove their usernames at any time. While usernames will be limited to 35 characters, some high-profile individuals will have exceptions where their names will not be publicly visible. The move is seen as a step toward greater user privacy, with Meta-owned WhatsApp emphasizing the feature as part of its commitment to private communication.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the development of WhatsApp’s new privacy feature as a technical update aimed at enhancing user privacy, without overtly endorsing or criticizing either side of the political spectrum. It focuses on the functional changes and implications for user experience rather than taking a
Why these scores (Factual 80 · Objective 85): Good summary of the main facts, including technical details like character limits and availability. Uses Albanian language but accurately reflects the core message. More objective in tone compared to others, avoids strong editorializing.
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