WhatsApp is testing new granular phone number privacy controls

Popular messaging platform WhatsApp continues to enhance user privacy by working on a new feature that grants granular control over phone number visibility. This upcoming capability aims to give users precise management over who can see their personal contact numbers during chats and calls.

• The feature was discovered by WABetaInfo in the WhatsApp beta version 2.26.45.1 for Android.
• The new privacy setting offers four distinct options: Everyone, My contacts, My contacts except..., and Nobody.
• The feature is closely tied to the recently introduced username functionality.
• By default, the visibility option will be set to 'Nobody' for enhanced privacy when interacting via usernames.

Details of the New Privacy Options

Back in June, WhatsApp introduced the username feature allowing users to reserve unique names and communicate without exchanging phone numbers. Building directly upon that foundation, the platform is now testing a more advanced privacy layer that gives users explicit control over how their phone numbers are displayed.

According to reports from WABetaInfo, the update provides four flexible visibility choices. This empowers individuals to carefully filter who has access to their direct phone numbers, balancing between complete anonymity from strangers and necessary visibility for trusted contacts or business needs.

Limitations and Current Status

It is important to note that this upcoming phone number privacy feature will exclusively be available to users who have a username set up. Furthermore, if another user already possesses your phone number through personal contacts or other means, they will continue to see it in calls and chats regardless of the new settings.

Under current app behavior, WhatsApp automatically hides phone numbers from those who connect via a username. The new feature formalizes and expands this approach by making 'Nobody' the default visibility choice, meaning privacy-focused users will not need to manually change settings. However, those who require their number to be visible for specific purposes can easily toggle the setting.

Release Timeline and Context

At present, the phone number privacy feature is still under active development and has not yet rolled out even to beta testers. Users will need to wait for WhatsApp to introduce it to the beta channel ahead of a wider public release.

For users worldwide, including those in the CIS region, improved privacy controls in messaging apps are crucial for reducing spam and unwanted communication, making digital interactions safer and more customizable.