WhatsApp is testing a feature that lets you control who sees your phone number

WhatsApp Enhances Privacy: New Feature to Control Phone Number Visibility

WhatsApp, the ubiquitous messaging platform, is stepping up its privacy game. Following the recent introduction of its username feature, which aims to facilitate communication without the need to share personal phone numbers, the company is now testing a significant privacy enhancement. This new development offers users more granular control over who can actually see their phone number within the app.

Discovered by WABetaInfo in the beta version 2.26.45.1 of WhatsApp for Android, this forthcoming feature allows users to choose from four distinct visibility settings for their phone number: "Everyone," "My Contacts," "My Contacts Except…," and "Nobody." These options will govern whether your phone number is displayed to others when they interact with you through calls and chats.

It's important to note that this advanced phone number privacy setting will be exclusively available to users who have set up a username. Furthermore, individuals who already possess your phone number through other means will continue to see it, irrespective of these new app-based controls.

Currently, WhatsApp automatically shields your phone number from users who initiate contact via your username. The upcoming feature promises to streamline this by defaulting the visibility to "Nobody." This means users prioritizing maximum privacy will have their phone numbers hidden by default, requiring no action on their part. Conversely, those who wish to share their phone number for professional or other reasons will have the flexibility to adjust these settings accordingly.

This advanced phone number privacy feature is still in its developmental stages. It is not yet accessible to beta testers, indicating that users will need to wait for its gradual rollout, first on the beta channel and subsequently to the general public.

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