WhatsApp Introduces Usernames, Global Rollout to Follow
Meta's WhatsApp messaging platform is introducing usernames, allowing users to replace their phone numbers with a custom handle. Reservations are now open, but the feature is not yet active and will roll out globally over the coming months.
Key points
- Meta's WhatsApp messaging platform is introducing usernames, allowing users to replace their phone numbers with a custom handle.
- Reservations for usernames are now open, but the feature is not yet active and will roll out globally over the coming months.
- The username feature is currently only available on the mobile versions of WhatsApp and will be rolled out to all users in the coming months.
- Users can reserve their username by going to their profile settings and selecting 'Create Username' or 'Reserve Username'.
- The rollout of usernames has sparked a scramble among users to secure their desired handle, with some experts warning of a potential free-for-all for social media handles.
WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform owned by Meta, is introducing a new feature that will allow users to replace their phone numbers with custom usernames. This move is part of a broader effort to give users more control over their online identity and to make it easier for people to find and connect with each other on the platform.
The username feature is not yet active, but reservations are now open and will be rolled out globally over the coming months. The rollout of usernames has sparked a scramble among users to secure their desired handle, with some experts warning of a potential free-for-all for social media handles.
To reserve a username, users will need to go to their profile settings and select 'Create Username' or 'Reserve Username'. The feature is currently only available on the mobile versions of WhatsApp, but it will be rolled out to all users in the coming months.
The introduction of usernames is a significant development for WhatsApp, which has over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide. It remains to be seen how the feature will be used and what impact it will have on the way people communicate and interact with each other on the platform.
Sources
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