There are the first ones sightings. In recent weeks there have been several reports regarding the arrival on WhatsApp of usernamenames to use instead of telephone numbers. It is a solution already adopted by several messaging appstarting from Telegram. On Fanpage.it we anticipated it last autumn. In short, usernames are used to exchange messages and contact other users without revealing your phone number. On Telegram you can search for a specific username and start a conversation. Also in November, the possibility to book your username.
The first testimonies of this new function they appeared on WABetaInfothe blog dedicated to the latest news on the app code that we have mentioned several times. According to a post published last April 8WhatsApp would be starting to open up this possibility gradually. From what we can read this time it is not one limited distribution. We’re not talking about one feature in Betaso to speak. We are ahead of an introduction in the official app.
How to enter your username on WhatsApp: the rules
The first step to insert a username instead of the telephone number it will be understand if the function is really available. To do this you need to check the settings of your WhatsApp account. If you are among the first list of users involved in the experimentation you should find it in the settings section. We’ll tell you in advance: it is unlikely that something has already been started for Italian users.
WhatsApp wants to launch paid channels: content reserved for subscribers is being tested
However, we can see from the first information and the first tests another piece of data: Not all usernames are valid. For example, usernames cannot follow a domain: they cannot therefore begin with www and cannot end with an identifier such as .it or .com. This is to avoid, explains WABetaInfo, giving the user the impression of talk to an official site. Not only that. The username must be between 3 and 35 characterscan contain numbers, must have at least one letter and can only have certain special characters inside it. Not everyone is allowed.
The problem of double usernames
In all this, of course, there is a problem. The username of each user it must be specificexactly like the telephone number. WhatsApp does not require the presence of the same username used by multiple users. This, of course, can facilitate phishing cases. Accounts that choose a username already used by other profiles on Meta will have to be verified by them users who they have already registered those names. To be clear, no one will be able to name themselves after your Instagram account without you giving the green light.
