WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that lets its 3 billion global users reserve a username for their accounts. The change is designed to make it easier for people to connect on the messaging service without sharing their phone number. By using a username, users can control how and with whom their phone number is shared, including in situations involving new contacts or participation in group conversations. Multiple outlets report that reserving a username gives users more control over visibility of their phone number, which can be a concern when messaging people they have not previously contacted. The rollout reflects WhatsApp’s broader focus on privacy options within its platform. The updates allow users to be identifiable through a chosen handle rather than solely through phone-number-based discovery, aiming to reduce how often personal contact details need to be exchanged to communicate. Terms, timing, and availability details were not included in the provided excerpts.