WhatsApp is introducing usernames, which will allow you to communicate with others, without the need to share your phone number with them.
Names will be limited to 35 characters and there will be few restrictions, with the exception of some high profile officials and celebrities whose names will not be made available to anyone else.
From this week, people can secure a username, and it will be ready to use later this year once the feature has been rolled out, country by country.
