The feature, unveiled on Monday, will enable users worldwide to reserve unique usernames through the app’s settings ahead of the official rollout later this year.

📻 Breaking It Down

The move marks a significant shift in how users connect on the platform by introducing an alternative to phone-number-based communication.

The company said the feature is intended to improve privacy by concealing users’ phone numbers when initiating conversations with new contacts.

The platform further explained that users can reserve usernames by accessing “Settings > Account > Username” after updating the application.

📌 What You Need to Know

The announcement sparked widespread reactions online, with many users welcoming the added privacy protections.

One X user identified as Divine described the update as “a huge privacy upgrade,” noting that users will now be able to communicate without exposing personal contact details.

Another user, identified as SLIMDADDY, praised the move and expressed excitement about the upcoming rollout.

Other reactions focused on the potential reduction of spam messages and unsolicited communication once usernames replace public phone number sharing in some interactions.

The new feature is expected to benefit users participating in online communities, digital commerce and business interactions by allowing them to connect without exposing their primary phone numbers to strangers.

The company said the update is aimed at giving users greater control over how they share and protect their personal information online.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya