business
WhatsApp will allow users to go by usernames instead of phone numbers for added privacy
By Kelvin Chan | The Associated Press at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS)
· June 29, 2026
· 2 min read
WhatsApp users will soon get the option of going by usernames instead of phone numbers, the company said Monday, announcing plans to address a privacy blind spot.
The app said it has started allowing users to reserve unique usernames, which can be used to contact WhatsApp users when the featur...
Key takeaway WhatsApp, which says it has more than 3 billion users globally, has until now allowed users to be contacted by anyone who has their phone number.
Why this matters in The Trophy Club
For residents of Trophy Club , the upcoming WhatsApp username feature may bring a sense of relief, particularly for those who value their privacy. As a community within the Dallas-Fort Worth area, many locals likely have friends and family abroad who use WhatsApp as a primary means of communication. With the ability to use usernames instead of phone numbers, Trophy Club residents who use the app to stay in touch with international contacts may feel more secure in their online interactions. The feature's rollout later this year will be worth watching, especially for local businesses or organizations that maintain a presence on Meta's social media platforms, as they will have the opportunity to claim their existing usernames on WhatsApp. As usernames become available, it will be interesting to see how Trophy Club's online community adapts to this new layer of privacy and how it affects their communication habits.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . The Trophy Club surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? WhatsApp users will soon get the option of going by usernames instead of phone numbers, the company said Monday, announcing plans to address a privacy blind spot.
The app said it has started allowing users to reserve unique usernames, which can be used to contact WhatsApp users when the featur...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) and curated for The Trophy Club readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kelvin Chan | The Associated Press at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS). To learn more about how The Trophy Club selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Trophy Club, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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