WhatsApp: Beta version brings username reservation
WhatsApp is working on privacy protection by using usernames instead of phone numbers. A beta version allows username reservation.
Whatsapp app on smartphone
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Since May 2023, Meta has been working on a privacy protection feature in WhatsApp: instead of a phone number, users can use a username as contact information. The option to reserve usernames has now appeared in a current beta version.
(Image:Â wabetainfo.com)
The portal wabetainfo.com recently noticed this change. WhatsApp version 2.25.28.12 of the Google Play beta program includes a function that allows interested parties to reserve a desired name before the full function is available.
Fair distribution
The reservation comes before the gradual roll-out of the username function so that it gives all users the same opportunity to obtain popular usernames, the portal surmises. The function is now being tested to ensure its stability, and the final version should then prevent those with early access to the privacy feature from gaining an unfair advantage.
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In the middle of last year, a beta version of WhatsApp already materialized the function to protect privacy by using a username instead of a phone number. However, the developers are going one step further. In addition to specifying a username, WhatsApp also allows you to optionally set a PIN. New contacts with whom no previous interactions have taken place must then enter the specified PIN before they can send a message. The PIN differs from the one already offered by WhatsApp to protect chats.
WhatsApp has not given a timetable for the release of the feature. However, the function has been in development since 2023.
Other messengers are much quicker to implement it. After just a few weeks of beta testing, Signal rolled out this type of privacy protection for all users in March last year.
(dmk)
