Bengaluru, June 29: Following years of anticipation and months of preparation, Meta-owned WhatsApp has officially commenced the worldwide rollout of its username reservation feature starting today. This privacy-centric update allows users to claim a unique username before the feature officially launches configuration-wide later this year. Users will receive an in-app notification once the feature becomes accessible to them under Settings > Account > Username.

With the introduction of official usernames, WhatsApp users will gain the ability to message new contacts, businesses, or join various group chats without the necessity of revealing their personal mobile numbers. While the tech company notes that the adoption of usernames will remain entirely optional, the feature functions as an extra layer of privacy, providing individuals with enhanced control over their phone number visibility. Since WhatsApp caters to over three billion users globally, reservations are being opened ahead of the full release to accommodate the high demand for popular handles.

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Claims System for Businesses and Creators: In addition to unique custom handles for individual profiles, WhatsApp has established a dedicated claims system engineered for digital creators, small businesses, and enterprises seeking a consistent online brand identity. This registry allows business accounts to claim the exact same username they currently utilize on paired Meta platforms like Instagram or Facebook.

The company emphasized that there will be no public directory to browse or search profiles by username, nor will there be an automated recommendation engine. Usernames are structured to remain private, meaning other individuals must know your exact username to initiate a text conversation for the first time. For maximum security, users can also setup an optional “username key” that external accounts must provide before they can establish a first-time contact. The feature will be systematically deployed across various countries over the coming months.

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