Loading video...

Video Failed to Load

Go Home

WhatsApp is rolling out usernames to help keep phone numbers private. Users can start reserving their usernames now, ahead of the feature's launch later this year. Al Jazeera’s @emmawithrow explains why WhatsApp is making the change and what it means for user privacy.

AJEnglish's profile picture

Al Jazeera English

9,994,926 subscribers

123,102 views • 1 month ago •via X (Twitter)

News & PoliticsScience & Technology
LIVE

Anya Rossi• Live Now

Private livecam show

0 Comments

No comments available

Comments from the original post will appear here

Related Videos

🚨 BIG UPDATE! WhatsApp may soon allow chats without sharing Phone Numbe Users will use unique USERNAMES instead of phone numbers. The feature is expected to roll out globally around mid-2026, with June being a likely timeline. • What the change means: - Users can communicate without sharing mobile numbers - Improved privacy and identity protection - Conversations linked to usernames instead of contacts Competing platforms like Telegram and Signal already offer similar username based messaging. USERNAME-BASED MESSAGING COMING TO WHATSAPP.
0:31

🚨 BIG UPDATE! WhatsApp may soon allow chats without sharing Phone Numbe Users will use unique USERNAMES instead of phone numbers. The feature is expected to roll out globally around mid-2026, with June being a likely timeline. • What the change means: - Users can communicate without sharing mobile numbers - Improved privacy and identity protection - Conversations linked to usernames instead of contacts Competing platforms like Telegram and Signal already offer similar username based messaging. USERNAME-BASED MESSAGING COMING TO WHATSAPP.

The Analyzer (News Updates🗞️)

28,362 views • 5 months ago

What do WhatsApp usernames really mean for your privacy? The new feature lets you chat without sharing your phone number, adding an extra layer of privacy. But it also changes how people can find and identify you on the platform. NDTV’s AI & Tech Editor, Aayush Ailawadi (Aayush Ailawadi) explains what usernames, username keys, and the new privacy controls actually mean before you reserve yours. #WhatsApp #Privacy #Tech360
2:44

What do WhatsApp usernames really mean for your privacy? The new feature lets you chat without sharing your phone number, adding an extra layer of privacy. But it also changes how people can find and identify you on the platform. NDTV’s AI & Tech Editor, Aayush Ailawadi (Aayush Ailawadi) explains what usernames, username keys, and the new privacy controls actually mean before you reserve yours. #WhatsApp #Privacy #Tech360

NDTV

14,708 views • 1 month ago

We caught up with the Folks Finance team ahead of their $FOLKS token launch to discuss what it means for users and the future of DeFi on Algorand. Watch the full Inside the Launch episode now and bridge your $FOLKS to Algorand in Algoland this week 🌉
3:29

We caught up with the Folks Finance team ahead of their $FOLKS token launch to discuss what it means for users and the future of DeFi on Algorand. Watch the full Inside the Launch episode now and bridge your $FOLKS to Algorand in Algoland this week 🌉

Algorand Foundation

20,986 views • 9 months ago

3.3 billion WhatsApp users now have access to SCR through ChatterPay and... so do you P.S. 2026 is the year of making SCR spendable and useful everywhere
0:26

3.3 billion WhatsApp users now have access to SCR through ChatterPay and... so do you P.S. 2026 is the year of making SCR spendable and useful everywhere

Scroll

90,548 views • 6 months ago

Clicking phone in their private phones and issuing Challans wasn't enough, Police officers have now started sharing these images in their illegal WhatsApp groups They don't give a damn about our Right to Privacy, they don't care what is the procedure to enforce laws, they just do what they feel is right
1:36

Clicking phone in their private phones and issuing Challans wasn't enough, Police officers have now started sharing these images in their illegal WhatsApp groups They don't give a damn about our Right to Privacy, they don't care what is the procedure to enforce laws, they just do what they feel is right

COPWATCH INDIA

245,603 views • 3 months ago

What is maintenance? What are the steps one can take to claim maintenance? For free legal advice, contact the LRF at 08080402(Econet users only), 08010114 (NetOne users only) or WhatsApp 0785659616 for legal self-help services.
1:52

What is maintenance? What are the steps one can take to claim maintenance? For free legal advice, contact the LRF at 08080402(Econet users only), 08010114 (NetOne users only) or WhatsApp 0785659616 for legal self-help services.

Legal Resources Foundation

195,230 views • 6 months ago

Omni Armageddon is live! Phase 1 of mainnet means users can now delegate on EigenLayer to help secure Omni. This launch is the culmination of years of work developing a secure solution for fragmentation across rollups and marks a pivotal step in Omni’s journey.
0:40

Omni Armageddon is live! Phase 1 of mainnet means users can now delegate on EigenLayer to help secure Omni. This launch is the culmination of years of work developing a secure solution for fragmentation across rollups and marks a pivotal step in Omni’s journey.

Nomina

56,029 views • 2 years ago

🗣️ "Now the question is, can he do this two days later again?" Arne Slot explains why Rio Ngumoha is ready to start 'big games' 👇
1:16

🗣️ "Now the question is, can he do this two days later again?" Arne Slot explains why Rio Ngumoha is ready to start 'big games' 👇

This Is Anfield

42,447 views • 4 months ago

🟠 Why is the Chancellor giving a speech ahead of the budget later this month? Sky's Beth Rigby explains why it is unusual and what Rachel Reeves could be preparing us for 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube
0:55

🟠 Why is the Chancellor giving a speech ahead of the budget later this month? Sky's Beth Rigby explains why it is unusual and what Rachel Reeves could be preparing us for 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube

Ridge & Frost

33,204 views • 9 months ago

Take thirteen minutes, or bookmark this for later. This is from Ezra Klein, taken from The Ezra Klein Show podcast. It explains precisely what this administration is doing and why it is essential to keep focus and not play into it. #DemsUnited #DemVoice1
13:20

Take thirteen minutes, or bookmark this for later. This is from Ezra Klein, taken from The Ezra Klein Show podcast. It explains precisely what this administration is doing and why it is essential to keep focus and not play into it. #DemsUnited #DemVoice1

Rod (Izzy) 🇺🇸🦅

944,336 views • 1 year ago

Memory is now being rolled out on Perplexity to all Free and Pro users. Let us know what you think and how we can keep making it better
0:33

Memory is now being rolled out on Perplexity to all Free and Pro users. Let us know what you think and how we can keep making it better

mb

102,362 views • 1 year ago

Are Canadians About to Lose Their Privacy? (This is insane) For the first time, the government is proposing a system where your data is collected and stored even if you’ve done nothing wrong. That’s what Bill C-22 is about. I explain what this law really means, why it matters for your privacy, and why Canadians should be paying close attention.
2:31

Are Canadians About to Lose Their Privacy? (This is insane) For the first time, the government is proposing a system where your data is collected and stored even if you’ve done nothing wrong. That’s what Bill C-22 is about. I explain what this law really means, why it matters for your privacy, and why Canadians should be paying close attention.

FNL

21,590 views • 4 months ago

ALTERNATIVE ARTIST OF THE YEAR !!! iHeartRadio I guess the only thing we can say is... we promise to keep rocking and rolling and keep making music and better songs 🕺🎸
1:21

ALTERNATIVE ARTIST OF THE YEAR !!! iHeartRadio I guess the only thing we can say is... we promise to keep rocking and rolling and keep making music and better songs 🕺🎸

Green Day

82,814 views • 1 year ago

Winnipeg's cycling community is calling on the province to adopt the 'Idaho Stop' as law. Daisy Woelk explains what it means and why riders say it will help.
2:34

Winnipeg's cycling community is calling on the province to adopt the 'Idaho Stop' as law. Daisy Woelk explains what it means and why riders say it will help.

Global Winnipeg

30,798 views • 2 years ago

The Government must fix the loophole that means sex offenders can change their name by deed poll to evade the law. There is strong support for making this change across all political parties, let’s act now.
0:36

The Government must fix the loophole that means sex offenders can change their name by deed poll to evade the law. There is strong support for making this change across all political parties, let’s act now.

Jess Phillips

112,727 views • 3 years ago

#𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗶𝗽: 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 🔍 Want to track Twitter username changes? This tool by Travis Brown lets you search Twitter usernames and ID numbers to view past username history. You can even search partial usernames! 🔹 Unauthenticated users have limited access to specific bad actor lists, so not all account history will be visible. 🔗 Check out the tool: ✍️ This post was written by Joshua Richards. Follow him for more OSINT insights. 📢 Join the UK OSINT Community for free:
0:24

#𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗶𝗽: 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 🔍 Want to track Twitter username changes? This tool by Travis Brown lets you search Twitter usernames and ID numbers to view past username history. You can even search partial usernames! 🔹 Unauthenticated users have limited access to specific bad actor lists, so not all account history will be visible. 🔗 Check out the tool: ✍️ This post was written by Joshua Richards. Follow him for more OSINT insights. 📢 Join the UK OSINT Community for free:

UK OSINT Community

20,177 views • 1 year ago

Mert explains why privacy isn't secrecy “Privacy is not secrecy. It is the user having the option and the freedom to disclose their information. If it's mandatory, then it's surveillance. If it's optional, if it's up to the user, then it's freedom” “One good analogy is, you take all sorts of pictures on your phone. Some of those are private. You don't publish all of them on social media but you can publish whatever you want” “You can send messages on Twitter or Facebook or you might send private messages on Signal. Fundamentally, you have to have the choice” “When I pay for a coffee, I don't want my barista knowing I just bought a hair transplant treatment with the same coin" "Privacy is fundamentally about having the option. As long as you have the option, you're in control, it’s up to you what you do with it”
1:28

Mert explains why privacy isn't secrecy “Privacy is not secrecy. It is the user having the option and the freedom to disclose their information. If it's mandatory, then it's surveillance. If it's optional, if it's up to the user, then it's freedom” “One good analogy is, you take all sorts of pictures on your phone. Some of those are private. You don't publish all of them on social media but you can publish whatever you want” “You can send messages on Twitter or Facebook or you might send private messages on Signal. Fundamentally, you have to have the choice” “When I pay for a coffee, I don't want my barista knowing I just bought a hair transplant treatment with the same coin" "Privacy is fundamentally about having the option. As long as you have the option, you're in control, it’s up to you what you do with it”

genzcash

13,967 views • 1 month ago

🎉 Regional Launch is here! #HonorOfKings is now available in Turkey, South Asia, North Africa, CIS, and the Middle East on the App Store and Google Play. This major milestone also means that Worldwide Launch is next, slated for later this year. Be sure to follow us for updates!
0:37

🎉 Regional Launch is here! #HonorOfKings is now available in Turkey, South Asia, North Africa, CIS, and the Middle East on the App Store and Google Play. This major milestone also means that Worldwide Launch is next, slated for later this year. Be sure to follow us for updates!

Honor of Kings

48,067 views • 2 years ago

The full FIP.16 X Space - start to finish. We covered: Why now, how this is a strategic shift, FIRE, protocol level MEV, what this means for builders, what goes live day 1, Songbird's role in FIP.16, timelines, and much more. Watch it now or bookmark it for later.
1:41:20

The full FIP.16 X Space - start to finish. We covered: Why now, how this is a strategic shift, FIRE, protocol level MEV, what this means for builders, what goes live day 1, Songbird's role in FIP.16, timelines, and much more. Watch it now or bookmark it for later.

Flare ☀️

34,582 views • 4 months ago

The quantum threat is real, and it’s coming for blockchains. NEAR Co-founder Illia Polosukhin explains the security risk for the wider industry, and what NEAR is shipping to help users protect their crypto assets.
3:22

The quantum threat is real, and it’s coming for blockchains. NEAR Co-founder Illia Polosukhin explains the security risk for the wider industry, and what NEAR is shipping to help users protect their crypto assets.

NEAR Protocol

129,339 views • 14 days ago