California, June 29 -- WhatsApp on Monday announced that it is introducing usernames, a new privacy-focused feature that will allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers. The Meta-owned messaging platform said users can begin reserving usernames this week ahead of the feature's gradual rollout later this year.

Announcing the upcoming feature, WhatsApp said usernames are designed to offer users "a more private way to connect", particularly when interacting with new contacts or joining group conversations where sharing a personal phone number may not be desirable.

In a post on X, the Head of WhatsApp, Kunal Shah, shared the update and said, "Timing is everything. Joined WhatsApp early enough to claim my username before we r...