Here's the news and context around WhatsApp's use of phone numbers:
1. The Core Design: Phone Number as the Unique Identifier (Still True)
Account Registration: When you sign up for WhatsApp, you must register with a valid mobile phone number. unique ID within the WhatsApp system.
Automatic Contact Discovery: One of WhatsApp's original selling points was its simplicity. By accessing your phone's address book, it could instantly show you which of your contacts were also on WhatsApp, making it very easy to start messaging friends and family without creating new usernames or finding people.
Verification: Any time you set up WhatsApp on a new device or portugal whatsapp number data reinstall the app, a verification code is sent to your registered phone number (via SMS or call) to confirm your identity and grant access to your account.
2. News About Evolving Identification and Privacy (Offering Alternatives and More Control)
While the phone number remains the essential link to your WhatsApp account, recent news highlights that WhatsApp is actively introducing features that offer more privacy and flexibility in how your number is used and seen by others:
Usernames Are Coming (Big News!): This is the most significant development. News outlets like Livemint and Business Standard (reporting as recently as August 2024, which is in the past from current date) have widely confirmed that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that allows users to create unique usernames (e.g., @yourchosenname).
What this means: You will be able to share your username with people, and they can search for you and initiate a chat without needing to be given your phone number directly. This offers a significant privacy enhancement, especially for new connections or professional interactions where you might not want to share your personal number.