- WhatsApp introduces optional usernames to avoid sharing your phone number with strangers.
- The system includes an extra layer of security through a PIN code for new contacts.
- Users in Spain will be able to reserve their alias gradually from the application's settings menu.
- There will be no public directory, so it will be necessary to know the exact name to start a chat.
The most popular messaging app in Spain is about to undergo one of its most profound security transformations. Finally, after years of requests from the community, WhatsApp has begun rolling out the feature that will allow its users identify yourself using a username This unique change eliminates the requirement to display your mobile phone number in all interactions. Already implemented on other similar platforms, this measure represents a radical shift in how we manage our digital identity within the Meta tool.
Although a phone number will remain a requirement for creating and maintaining an active account, its visibility will become less prominent. The company has confirmed that this feature will be rolled out gradually worldwide, allowing users to more than 3.000 million people Decide how you want to be found. Please note that this is a completely voluntary option, so those who prefer to continue as before will not need to make any changes to their usual settings.
What are aliases and how do they work on the platform?
The new usernames will function as an alternative identity designed specifically for contacting people not saved in your address book. By setting an alias, this will be the information strangers see in individual chats, groups, or even calls and video calls. For someone to contact you for the first time, you will need to know the exact namebecause the application has decided not to include a public search engine or suggestions in order to avoid spam and protect our privacy.
Regarding the technical rules for choosing these identifiers, the platform has established that they must have a length of between 3 and 35 characters Alphanumeric characters. It's important to note that each name is unique; that is, if someone has already registered the username you wanted, you'll have to look for a variation. Additionally, a protected space has been reserved for official institutions and public figures, allowing accounts that already have a verified name on Facebook or Instagram to... claim the same identifier on WhatsApp to maintain brand consistency.
Steps to reserve your custom username
The registration process has opened early so that the first users can secure their favorite username before it disappears. To check if the option is already active on your device, simply go to the Settings tab within the app. Once there, go to the Account section and look for the option. called UsernameIf it appears, simply type in your preferred term and wait for the system to check its availability and confirm it.
If you don't see this option on your smartphone yet, don't worry, because the rollout is happening in waves. The company has indicated that will send a direct notification to users when the feature is ready to be configured in their region. An interesting point is that these names are not final; the platform will allow You can modify the alias at any time.This gives you complete flexibility if in the future you decide you prefer to use another pseudonym or simply want to go back to being anonymous for a while.
Privacy is protected with the use of PIN codes
To further enhance security, WhatsApp has introduced an additional tool that will thwart prying eyes. Users who activate their username will be able to configure a four-digit PIN code Optional. This code will act as an entry key: if someone who doesn't know you tries to message you using your alias, the application will ask them to enter this numeric key. Without it, they won't be able to send you a single message, drastically reducing the risk of suffer harassment or scams by strangers.
This feature is especially useful in professional environments or large community groups where we don't know all the participants. By hiding the mobile number behind a name and protecting it with a PIN, the leakage of sensitive data that could be used for unwanted sales calls or social engineering attacks is mitigated. In this way, control over who can contact With us, it's once again exclusively in our hands, allowing us to navigate the digital ecosystem with much greater peace of mind.
This new feature in the Meta app aims to make us feel safer when interacting with complete strangers in our daily lives. Whether it's to participate in a neighborhood group or ask a question to an online seller, having a personal identifier saves us the unpleasant experience By exposing such private information as a phone number, the option to add a security PIN and the freedom to change aliases whenever desired represents a giant leap forward in privacy, adapting to what European users have been demanding for some time.
