Instant messaging is gradually rolling out its feature allowing user names to be used instead of a phone number to communicate.
Announced several months ago, usernames are officially being rolled out in WhatsApp. After opening the reservation of profile names at the end of June, the instant messaging application owned by Meta is gradually activating their full use among users who have taken the step.
A gradual deployment
WABetaInfowhich reports the news, specifies that the deployment of this major new messaging function must be done gradually. WhatsApp has reportedly already started serving users who have reserved their profile name on the beta and stable versions of the application, both on iOS and Android.
You can also check it very simply from your account. If the feature is available for your account, a notification should automatically be displayed when opening the app at the top of the conversations list.
If for the moment only a few lucky people seem to be able to benefit from it, the large-scale deployment of the function could take place over several weeks.
Replace your mobile number with a nickname
Concretely, the main objective of this new functionality is to strengthen the confidentiality of your data, and more particularly of your mobile number. Because by setting up a profile name, you can now simply share it so that other users can contact you.
Your pseudonym can therefore replace your mobile number which you no longer need to communicate. Obviously, everyone who already has your number will continue to see it in existing discussions. But the arrival of profile names will allow you to hide your mobile number from potential new contacts.
To contact someone via their nickname, simply enter their exact name directly into the contact search bar. The application does not offer a public directory for partial searches, so you will not be able to simply enter the first letters of a nickname and hope to come across it via suggested results.
Please note that while it is entirely possible to change your profile name from the application settings, changing the nickname of one of your contacts does not result in any alerts. Only a discreet notification will be displayed directly in the conversation.
Additional security to activate to avoid being spammed
Furthermore, the implementation of a user name system could not be done without the implementation of a safeguard. To prevent anyone from spamming you using your username (which may be the same as the one you already use on Facebook or Instagram), WhatsApp offers an additional option to configure a “username key”.
When this option is enabled, someone with knowledge of your WhatsApp username will be required to enter the associated username key to be able to start a conversation with you.
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By: Opera
Source :
WABetaInfo
