WhatsApp has hinted at introducing a new feature called Phone Number Privacy that aims to enhance user privacy within communities.
According to WABetaInfo, the feature, currently being tested, ensures that users’ phone numbers remain hidden from other members of the community.
This move comes as WhatsApp continues to prioritize user privacy and security.
“Although the participants list in community announcement groups is already hidden, users were unable to interact with the group through message reactions without revealing their phone numbers. With the introduction of the Phone Number Privacy feature, users can now add reactions to messages while keeping their phone numbers concealed,” the site noted.
It is noted that this feature, previously available to a limited group of users, is now rolling out to more users on the latest version of the app.
” When enabled, this feature displays an alert informing users that their phone numbers are only visible to community admins and contacts who have saved their number. By activating this feature, users can ensure that their full phone numbers remain hidden from other participants in the conversation. It’s important to note that community admins’ phone numbers will still be visible.”
The introduction of the phone number privacy feature brings a significant advantage in terms of anonymity. Users can now interact with community announcement groups without revealing their phone numbers, providing them with a sense of privacy and security.
Initially, this feature is limited to community members, but there are plans to extend it to other groups in the future. Additionally, users will have the option to privately request the phone numbers of other community members whose numbers are hidden.
The phone number privacy feature for communities is currently available to beta testers who have installed the latest WhatsApp update for Android from the Google Play Store and WhatsApp for iOS from the App Store and the TestFlight app.
Over the next few days, the feature will be gradually rolled out to more users.
To stay updated on the latest WhatsApp news and features, users can follow WABetaInfo on Twitter.
WABetaInfo provides insights into WhatsApp beta versions for Android, iOS, Web/Desktop, and Windows. Users are encouraged to provide feedback on the new feature through Twitter. For those seeking additional support and announcements, WABetaInfo has also set up a Discord Server where users can engage with others and stay informed.
As WhatsApp continues to prioritize user privacy, the introduction of the phone number privacy feature brings a significant enhancement to community interactions while maintaining anonymity and security.