WhatsApp Considers Replacing Phone Numbers with Usernames in Upcoming Update
Delhi : The most widely used messaging app in the world, WhatsApp, may soon replace phone numbers with amusing nicknames. According to WhatsApp beta testing website WABetaInfo, the Meta-owned firm is releasing an upgrade to version 2.23.11.15 via the Google Play Beta Programme.
"Over the last few months, we've published a number of articles about new WhatsApp features that are in the works. These innovations attest to their dedication to giving everyone a better user experience, but we also have some vital news to share today. We discovered a crucial feature during our routine examination of the new version after installing the most recent WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.11.15 update from the Google Play Store," WABetaInfo reported on its page.
Simply said, WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta, is developing a username feature that will let users select original usernames for their accounts. The functionality is still under developed and is not yet accessible. According to an image posted by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is developing a username feature for the app's settings. This function will be available under WhatsApp Settings > Profile.
Users of WhatsApp will get the option to increase their level of anonymity by selecting a username for their accounts. By allowing users to choose usernames, WhatsApp may give users the ability to reach other people by entering a username within the app, without knowing their phone numbers, WABetaInfo continued. "This also means that instead of relying solely on phone numbers to identify contacts, users will be able to choose a unique and memorable username," the website added.
In the meanwhile, a much-needed functionality that allows users to modify messages within a 15-minute timeframe is being rolled out by Meta-owned WhatsApp. The company's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced this week that WhatsApp users may now modify messages for up to 15 minutes after sending them in a Facebook post. Users worldwide have begun receiving the edit message option, which will be accessible to everyone in the near future.
The recipients will be informed that the given message has been modified by the 'Edited' marking, but they won't be able to see the modification history. End-to-end encryption protects WhatsApp messages and updates, the Meta-owned business noted, just like it does for all private chats, media files, and calls.
