Goa, July 1 -- WhatsApp has unveiled one of its biggest privacy upgrades yet by introducing usernames, allowing users to connect without revealing their phone numbers. The new feature marks a significant shift in how conversations can begin on the Meta-owned messaging platform.

For years, starting a chat on WhatsApp required users to exchange their mobile numbers. While the process was simple, it also meant sharing personal contact information with people they had just met, raising privacy concerns for many users.

The newly announced username feature aims to change that. Instead of giving out a phone number, users will be able to create a unique username that others can use to find and message them. This allows conversations to begin wh...