WhatsApp phone number privacy feature

The messaging service WhatsApp, which is widely used, has completely changed how we connect with one another. Introduced in 2009, WhatsApp soon became well-known for its ease of use, simple design, and affordable communication features. Nowadays, it ranks among the most popular messaging networks with over two billion active users globally.

Many features that WhatsApp provides have revolutionized the way we communicate. Users may easily organize group conversations, exchange multimedia files, conduct audio and video calls, and send text messages. By bridging time and space gaps, WhatsApp has made it possible for people all over the world to communicate in real time. WhatsApp has developed into a vital tool for contemporary communication. Whether it’s engaging with communities, or keeping in touch with loved ones.

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One of the key features that set WhatsApp apart is its end-to-end encryption. With the help of this cutting-edge security system, the sender and receiver are the only users who can view messages, calls, photographs, and videos exchanged on the platform. In short, it guarantees a high level of anonymity. The security of private communications and information from unwanted access has been greatly improved by this encryption technique.

Man using whatsapp
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However, even after having such a full-proof system, the app has been under scrutiny and criticism for its privacy policies. Many experts have raised questions about the information collection methods of WhatsApp. Whilst it claims that this data is rarely kept for long and is not shared with outside parties, WhatsApp does collect certain metadata. The collected data included phone numbers and contact lists.

Nevertheless, to address this problem, WhatsApp is introducing fresh feature called “phone number privacy” for its Android and iOS users.

What is phone number privacy?

For both Android and iOS users, WhatsApp has released a brand-new feature dubbed “phone number privacy.” This functionality is present in the Android and iOS platforms’ beta updates, according to a report by WABetaInfo. After the update, users will discover a new selection named “phone number privacy” in the community announcement group information.

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As the name suggests, this function empowers users to protect their privacy by hiding their phone numbers within WhatsApp groups. By turning on this function, users may make sure that only community administrators and those who have stored their contact information will be able to see their phone numbers.

whatsapp phone number privacy feature
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Furthermore, it enables users to conceal their full phone numbers from other chat participants. However, this feature is restricted to community members only, and the number of the community admin will always remain visible.

The phone number privacy feature for communities is initially only accessible to a small group of beta users who have updated their versions of WhatsApp for Android and iOS. According to the report, it will progressively expand to additional users in the next few days.

Additionally, WhatsApp is rumored to be developing a different feature for communities within the Android beta version dubbed “group suggestions.” Community administrators will be able to use this functionality to directly approve or reject requests from other community members. The section is also anticipated to offer two quick ways to accept or reject these ideas.

Also read: Enable This Privacy Feature To Stop WhatsApp From Secretly Listening To Your Private Conversations

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