WhatsApp to Introduce Usernames in 2026, Enhancing Privacy by Removing Phone Number Sharing Requirement

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, will introduce usernames in 2026, allowing users to chat without sharing their phone numbers. The feature enables users to reserve usernames before the official launch, though no specific date for reservations was provided. The update aims to enhance privacy by decoupling messaging from phone numbers, though security limitations were acknowledged without further technical details. The change reflects a broader industry shift toward user-controlled identifiers, similar to features in Signal and Telegram. No CVE IDs or specific vulnerabilities were mentioned in relation to the update.