New Delhi, June 30 -- WhatsApp users will now be able to reserve their usernames and interact without sharing their phone numbers, the Meta Platforms Inc.-owned messaging app said on Monday.

The announcement comes at a time when the Indian government wants messaging apps to implement SIM binding by the end of December, meaning users without an active SIM would be unable to access these apps.

Mint examines whether WhatsApp's usernames undermine India's push for SIM binding.

WhatsApp usernames are a new way for people to identify themselves on the platform without revealing their phone numbers.

Today, anyone who wants to start a conversation on WhatsApp generally needs the other person's mobile number. Once usernames are rolled out, use...