WhatsApp replacing phone numbers with usernames to enhance privacy and security across the platform.

[poorvik-san]

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/whatsapp-may-soon-allow-users-to-chat-without-sharing-numbers-messaging-app-to-bring-username-reservation-option-heres-how-it-will-work/articleshow/124382746.cms

How this will effect.

[pauloRohling]

Hey, just adding a quick update here.
Looks like this isn’t just speculation anymore, as there are newer reports saying Meta has already started rolling out usernames to beta users, so this might become generally available pretty soon.

From the whatsmeow side, I’m a bit worried about how this will play out. Right now I rely on phone numbers for a few things, for example, I use the country code to guess the user’s language for automated messages. If usernames start replacing or hiding numbers, that approach kind of breaks.

@tulir is there any ongoing research or planning around this change? Do we have any idea what to expect in terms of API changes or whether phone numbers will still be accessible in some form?
Would be great to hear your thoughts on this.

Whats(App) in a number? Usernames set to enter chat; global rollout likely in June

[guilhermejansen]

Stay cool, everything's already mapped out on @lid.