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WhatsApp, a popular messaging platform, has been releasing updates frequently in recent months in an effort to improve user experience and privacy. According to WABetaInfo, the latest development in this regard involves a profile update. WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new username option that will enable users to choose their own unique handle.

This new feature brings WhatsApp’s communication manner closer to that of Instagram, another Meta-owned application. While the specifics of how WhatsApp identities will function remain unknown, it has the potential to revolutionize how people communicate on the platform. In lieu of exchanging personal phone numbers or QR codes to initiate a chat, users may be able to communicate using only their chosen username. Notably, conversations initiated by usernames will continue to be protected by WhatsApp’s rigorous end-to-end encryption, ensuring confidentiality.

This announcement follows the release of another highly anticipated feature, message modification. With this update, WhatsApp users can now edit a sent message for 15 minutes after it has been sent. Notably, an “edited” label will accompany the message, signifying that it has been modified after being sent.

Additionally, in May, the messaging app introduced “Chat Lock,” a utility that gives users the option to password-protect or biometrically secure specific one-on-one or group chats. This feature also prohibits previews of messages from being displayed as notifications.

While the precise release date and confirmation of the username feature are still pending, it is anticipated that WhatsApp will initially make it available to beta users before releasing it to all devices.

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