WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow users to set unique usernames for their accounts, WABetaInfo reported on May 24. This feature could have significant privacy implications as it could mean that users will no longer need to share their phone number every time they want to connect with another user or converse with a business on WhatsApp. Instead, they can share just their usernames. If WhatsApp allows users to change their settings to only be discoverable by their username and not their phone number, it can add an extra layer of privacy as phone numbers given elsewhere cannot be used to reach you on WhatsApp. But this is more of a wishlist, and how exactly the username feature will work is not yet clear as it is still under development. WABetaInfo spotted this feature on WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.11.15 but noted that it might not be visible to other testers as it is still under development. There is no timeline for when the feature will be public or even any guarantee that it will release. [caption id="attachment_185217" align="aligncenter" width="461"] Screenshot of the usernames feature that is under development. Source: WABetaInfo[/caption] Notably, Telegram is another popular messaging app that already allows usernames that can be used by other users to find you instead of phone numbers. Separately, WhatsApp is also working on a new screen-sharing feature, WABetaInfo reported on May 27. This will allow users to share their screens during a video call. It is currently…
