Recently, WhatsApp has been undergoing an impressive renewal process. A profile update will now be available as well, as WABetaInfo reports, and WhatsApp is working on a new username option. The latest WhatsApp beta update for Android includes a new field in the profile section of the app that asks users to choose their own unique username.
This new option brings WhatsApp one step closer to the way people communicate on Instagram, another Meta-owned app, but not much is known about what exactly a username in the messaging app would do. These names could create a significant change in the way people find each other on WhatsApp and increase their privacy. For example, instead of having to share a personal phone number or QR code to chat, it may be sufficient to share a user-selected username. It is said that WhatsApp conversations started using the username will also have end-to-end encryption.
This announcement comes shortly after the long-requested message editing feature was introduced. The message editing update allows WhatsApp users to change a message within 15 minutes of sending it, with a warning that the word “edited” will be written next to the timestamp. Also in May, “Chat Lock”, a tool that allows you to create specific one-on-one or group chats by simply entering your password or scanning biometrics, was launched.
A release date for the usernames has not been announced yet, and the feature has not even been officially confirmed. However, as with other updates, it can be predicted that it will be made available to beta users first before rolling out to all devices.
56929
