appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Theodora Yu

WhatsApp, one of Hong Kong’s most popular messaging apps, will soon no longer require users to share their phone numbers before they start texting.
Starting this week, users can reserve a unique username, which allows them to text without swapping numbers, for use later this year when the Meta-owned service launches the feature.
Users will need to know a person’s exact username before they can text them for the first time.
United States tech giant Meta said on Monday that the new move was a step towards making the app more private, allowing users to join large group chats even if they felt unready to give out their numbers to take part.
“Once we launch usernames, when you message a person or business for the first time, they will no longer see your phone number if you enabled your username,” it said.

To control who can contact a user on WhatsApp via their username, Meta will introduce an optional username key that others will have to know beforehand.
Content creators or small businesses will have the option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp if they prefer to maintain a consistent online presence, Meta said.
WhatsApp currently has 3 billion users around the world. Meta said it would notify users when the feature was available in their respective countries.
According to the website for Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, telephone numbers are considered personal data, alongside identity card numbers, names, photos and other information.
In 2024, messaging app Signal introduced a service to keep phone numbers private and allow for the exchange of usernames for messaging.
The office said on Tuesday night that that update would give users greater control over whether to disclose their phone numbers when messaging a person or business for the first time.
“And the update should serve to enhance privacy protection for users, especially as regards the prevention of scams and spam messages,” it said.
The privacy watchdog said it would refer cases involving possible contraventions of the direct marketing provisions to police for further investigations and follow-up actions.
In 2025, the watchdog received six complaints about direct marketing practices that involved WhatsApp.


Foreign carers for elderly to get 10 to 20% more pay than current helpers

CUHK instructor triggers backlash over WeChat attendance registration policy

Why mainland Chinese despise the British – but Hongkongers don’t

Hongkongers pay tribute to late leader Tung Chee-hwa at community halls

Hong Kong society

No need to share numbers as WhatsApp set to introduce new feature for texting

Meta has said it will notify users when the feature is available in their respective countries. Photo: Edmond So

Content creators or small businesses will have the option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp if they prefer to maintain a consistent online presence. Photo: Eugene Lee

Pupils as young as 7 hooked on online games as expert warns of alarming trend

About 70 parents attended the workshop, titled  “AI responsibilities, digital habits and hidden pitfalls”, on Sunday. Photo: Jonathan Wong

(From left) Young Post editor Emily Tsang, Crystal Leung and Preface Education director Ellen Lau speak at Sunday’s workshop. Photo: Jonathan Wong

60% of Hong Kong schools using AI for teaching and admin work, survey finds

The Education University of Hong Kong researchers have urged educators to become more knowledgeable about AI. Photo: Dickson Lee

The Education Bureau earlier called for teachers to complete at least 30 hours of digital education training every three years as part of its blueprint. Photo: Elson Li

News

Hong Kong

Society

Starting this week, users can reserve unique usernames that allow them to text without swapping numbers later this year


Starting this week, users can reserve unique usernames that allow them to text without swapping numbers later this year.


WhatsApp

Instagram

Meta Platforms

Facebook

No need to share numbers as WhatsApp set to introduce new feature for texting

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Starting this week, users can reserve unique usernames that allow them to text without swapping numbers later this year

Starting this week, users can reserve unique usernames that allow them to text without swapping numbers later this year