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FollowingWhatsApp username feature sparks controversy: Balancing privacy protection and business reach
WhatsApp's recently launched username feature has sparked widespread discussion. The core controversy is that the feature claims to be able to hide a user's mobile phone number and display only the user name. This issue is particularly sensitive for users operating business on the platform. In addition to presence within the app, business owners often need to disclose their mobile phone numbers to customers, especially when they are offline on WhatsApp, and customers often need to communicate via traditional phone or text messages.
Concerned about losing customer access, many companies have begun deleting their user names (which is optional), and non-business users have taken similar actions.
WhatsApp username: a tool to enhance privacy
Looking back in June this year, Meta launched a new WhatsApp username feature that allows users to chat and connect without having to share their mobile phone numbers. When explaining how this feature works, Meta pointed out that when using a username for initial contact, the mobile phone number will be hidden.
Meta emphasized in a note that the move is aimed at strengthening the security of the platform. "WhatsApp is introducing a major privacy feature called username to help you connect with new people you meet without revealing your mobile number."
This username function is specifically aimed at protecting users 'mobile phone numbers from being saved in public groups. For example, when you want to join a football fan group but don't want strangers to get your mobile number, using a username can effectively prevent this from happening.
Mobile phone numbers are closely bound to personal identities and are sensitive personal information. The username feature completely eliminates this concern by allowing users to connect as they wish and keep their numbers private. This identity protection mechanism is well known among users of platforms such as Telegram and Signal, which already have similar capabilities.
Currently, more than 3 billion WhatsApp users around the world can still apply to retain their username, and Meta plans to officially activate this feature before the end of this year.
Clarify the misunderstanding: When will your mobile phone number be hidden?
We need to clarify some widely circulated claims. WhatsApp introduced the username feature to prevent strangers from accessing your mobile phone number at will, which is one of the platform's biggest privacy protections in years.
Although a username changes the way people find you on WhatsApp, setting a username does not disable your mobile number, turn off traditional WhatsApp messaging features, or block incoming calls.
您的手机号仍然与底层账户绑定，但只有现有联系人或已保存您号码的人才能像往常一样给您打电话或发送消息。Meta在其博客文章中进一步澄清道：“一旦我们推出用户名功能，当您首次给某人或商家发消息时，如果您启用了用户名，他们将不再看到您的手机号。”
对商家的实际影响
对于WhatsApp上的企业主而言，担心因不在线而无法被联系到的情况确实存在。
如果客户尝试通过直接移动呼叫（GSM通话）拨打您的常规手机号，而您仅依赖在线状态的WhatsApp用户名，那么那些没有您手机号、仅拥有您用户名的客户将无法通过传统电话线路或短信联系到您。
此外，WhatsApp的消息和通话需要Wi-Fi或蜂窝数据等活跃互联网连接。如果您的移动数据已关闭，仅依靠用户名的客户在您重新上线之前无法联系到您。
与此同时，如果在X（Twitter）或Instagram上拥有知名用户名的商家能在WhatsApp上保留相同的用户名，将有助于提高其在搜索中的可见性。这不仅能维持其知名度，还能方便来自这些社交平台的新用户轻松搜索并找到他们的店铺。
