The main point is privacy. WhatsApp usernames let you give someone something like @PaulFurst (my username) instead of giving them your mobile number. WhatsApp says usernames are optional and are specifically designed so people can contact you without your phone number being revealed.

This is particularly useful for things like customers, Facebook Marketplace, clubs, tradespeople, community groups or people you’ve only just met. You can say, “Message me on WhatsApp at @PaulFurst, (my username)” without handing out a number that may also be linked to your banking, accounts and other personal information.

Your phone number still underpins your WhatsApp account; the username is essentially another way for people to find/contact you. People can search for and contact someone using their username, and WhatsApp is also introducing an optional username key that can further control who is able to contact you by username.

For a business, I think it’s especially useful. You could advertise something like @PaulFurst (my username) on websites and social media rather than publishing your mobile number everywhere.

WhatsApp to let people chat by swapping usernames instead of phone numbers

 

 

 

 

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