Status: This feature has been widely reported in beta versions for both Android and iOS and is expected to roll out more broadly. It will be an optional feature, meaning your phone number will still work for existing contacts.
"Phone Number Privacy" in Communities: WhatsApp has introduced and is rolling out a "Phone Number Privacy" feature specifically for Communities.
Why it's important: In larger WhatsApp Communities, this feature allows members to interact without their phone numbers being visible to every other member in the community. Only community admins luxembourg whatsapp number data and those who have already saved your number will see it. This is crucial for enhancing privacy in larger, less personal groups.
Data Sharing with Meta (Ongoing Regulatory News): There's continuous news regarding how WhatsApp, as part of Meta, uses non-encrypted user data (such as usage patterns, device information, and interactions with business accounts) for broader purposes across the Meta ecosystem. While this isn't about your phone number being publicly searchable, it pertains to how Meta leverages the data associated with your WhatsApp account (which is tied to your phone number). and the EU have imposed fines or are involved in legal battles over these data-sharing practices.
In conclusion:
Yes, WhatsApp absolutely has a "number" (your phone number) that serves as your primary identity on the platform. However, the current news indicates a significant shift towards offering usernames as an alternative, more private way to connect, and enhanced phone number privacy settings within features like Communities. This reflects WhatsApp's ongoing effort to balance user convenience with privacy concerns.