In a major change that is expected to transform the communication of millions of users worldwide progresses the platform WhatsAp p.
ARTICLE SUMMARY
- Users of WhatsApp can now choose unique names, removing the need to notify their phone number. The function offers flexibility, with restrictions on characters and «locked» names of celebrities to avoid counterfeiting.
- The registration of the username is done gradually through the settings on mobile devices. Businesses and creators can transfer their names from Instagram/Facebook, connecting accounts and allowing data sharing.
- Despite promoting operation as an upgrade of privacy, experts express reservations. Meta, although not reading messages, continues to collect user metadata, such as location and age, for advertising purposes.
- To deal with possible fraud, the company introduces optional numerical security codes. The changes coincide with taking office from a new head in the company and discussing the legislation on minors in the United Kingdom.
Popular
Meta application introduces chat capability via unique names
user (usernames), abolishing the obligation to disclose the personal number
Phone.
The new mode
will be made available gradually to the three billion account holders within
In the coming months.
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How they work
Usernames in WhatsAp p
Already as of this week users can start to «close» the name of their choice through their profile settings, although the process is not mandatory.
Flexibility: Users will be able to delete or change their name at any time.
Protection: The options for blocking or reporting unwanted messages remain.
Restrictions: Names will have a limit of 35 characters. In addition, to avoid counterfeit phenomena, names of known officials and celebrities (such as Donald Trump's) will be «locked» and unavailable.
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The Head
product of WhatsApp, Alice Newton-Rex, stated that this feature
is a response to the request of many users who did not wish to share
their phone, especially in group conversations, offering them
greater control of their digital presence.
The procedure
registration
The choice for the
booking username will gradually appear in their account settings
users on their mobile device, as it is not supported through version for
computers (WhatsApp Web/Desktop).
Important
note for creators and businesses: There will be the possibility of automatic transfer of
same username they already use on Instagram or Facebook for reasons
uniformity. However, this requires the connection of accounts through the Centre
Meta Accounts Management, which means sharing data
between applications (including Threads and Messenger).
In social media complaints that the selection has not yet appeared, the company recommended patience and receiving the latest update of the application.
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Reactions and
privacy concerns
Although WhatsApp presents this function as upgrading of privacy -following the example of the Signal app, which did something similar in 2024-, experts remain cautious.
Carisa Veliz,
Professor at the University of Oxford and author of the book Privacy is
Power, comment: «It's a good function, but even if it offers
More privacy, let us not forget that WhatsApp overall is not a
privacy friendly application. Collects a lot of metadata for
advertising and owned by Meta, one of the technology companies
with the worst history in this particular piece».
Although the content of talks remains encrypted (end-to-end encrypted) and inaccessible for Meta, the company exploits other elements, such as the general location and age of users, to target advertisements.
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It is also noted that there will be no public list of names, while the phone number remains necessary to create an account, even if it no longer appears publicly.
Security measures
against crooks
Responding to user concerns on the network X that usersnames may facilitate Internet fraud, the company assured that it has multiple levels of defence. Among them, the introduction of optional «keys» (short numeric codes), meaning that someone will be able to contact you only if they know both the username and the corresponding key.
Administrative
changes and legislation
This development comes at a time of significant changes for the platform. Recently announced that Kunal Shah, founder of Indian startup, takes over the reins of WhatsAp p, succeeding Will Cathcart after seven years of service.
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At the same time, the age limit for the use of the application remains 13 years. It is worth noting that message exchange applications will not be included in the upcoming ban on social media for minors under 16 years, which is expected to be implemented in the United Kingdom as of next year.
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