There are more than 1 billion people in the world who use WhatsApp on a daily basis. This is a lot, so much so that to have control of WhatsApp is to control the way half the world communicates.
WhatsApp is one of the best messaging applications of the moment, and with good reason. Since its launch, the app has not stopped evolving, offering a wide variety of useful features that are not only intended to protect users, but also add more functionality during conversations.
The company has recently added Chat Lock, and has also partnered with Truecaller to prevent spam calls. And now it appears to be working on a new feature that could really change the way users connect with each other by implementing usernames in the future.
A perfect privacy layer to avoid giving out your phone number
The new feature has been discovered by WABetaInfo, being found in the latest beta of the app, version 2.23.11.15 currently available on Google Play Store.
As the website reports, although the ability to create a username was discovered, it is not yet accessible, and is something that is currently under development.
Presumably, usernames will add another layer of privacy for those using the service, giving users the option to share a phone number or their username.
As seen in the screenshot of the feature, the username would be unique, making it a perfect way to share or receive someone’s contact information.
Currently, WhatsApp relies on a QR code or phone number, but if usernames are entered, it could be a new way for users of the platform to share this information.
Although it is unclear, the website also speculates that users may also be able to search for other people using usernames, much like Discord or Steam.
While this is a great feature, as usernames will be unique, when launched, it can be quite a frenzy when it comes to claiming the preferred username at first.
Of course, this feature is not yet available or in beta, but in development. So it is not very clear how it will be used.
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