*By Rose Okudaye (NAN)
Some WhatsApp users have expressed mixed reactions to the platform’s newly introduced privacy feature, Username for WhatsApp, with opinions divided over its benefits and drawbacks.
The users, who spoke on Thursday, shared varying views on the feature.
NAN reports that these reactions follow the new feature introduced by WhatsApp where users now get to share usernames instead of phone numbers.
While some agreed that it’s a good move as it will enhance privacy, others have disagreed arguing that it takes the originality away from the platform and what it is already known for.
Linda Agbu, a journalist in Lagos, said that she believed the new feature would make hacking of people’s WhatsApp account more difficult.
Agbu said that usernames are personalised, so it would make it difficult for anyone to just gain access to another person’s account, as opposed to phone numbers that can be guessed by just anybody.
She said: “Usernames are personalised because sometimes you get calls from people and they tell you it’s a misdial but that can’t happen with usernames as they can’t be guessed.”
However, Ogochukwu Obiagwuncha, a baker in Port Harcourt, was of the opinion that the old way of sharing phone numbers was more private and original.
He argued that with a username, people could sit behind their keyboards and guess any username, search and be able to text you without your consent.
Blessing Okudaye, an entrepreneur from Abuja, described the proposed privacy feature as a welcome development, agreeing that it was a good move.
“You don’t have to give your number to someone you just met or are not yet comfortable with. It enables you to have conversations with business associates on the app without having to share contacts until you’re comfortable with such individuals.
In her opinion, Kudirat Habeeb from Lagos, said WhatsApp would lose its originality as the phone number feature was the only thing that distinguished it from other social media platforms as other platforms made use of usernames.
According to her, there are other ways the Meta team could improve the app instead of taking away the phone number feature.
In his opinion, Eneyo Asuquo from Benin City, said that it was a good move because it prevented unwanted people from having access to your phone number.
He said that traditionally, anyone could call another without the owner’s consent but with the new feature, this would become impossible.
He added that the Meta Team could also add another layer of privacy to this feature, in which after sharing usernames you get to accept the person first before you can start having a conversation just like it was done on Facebook.
Another respondent, Ruth Agabi in Lagos, said that though the new feature was trendy and youthful, it would make the WhatsApp platform lose its originality.
Agabi added that the proposed privacy feature may be problematic for the elderly, who may find it difficult to remember their usernames.
NAN reports that WhatsApp had on June 29 rolled out username reservations, a new privacy feature that would allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers.
The messaging platform said username reservations commenced on Monday, June 29, ahead of the full launch of the feature later this year, with users to be notified in the app once the option becomes available to them.
According to WhatsApp, the feature is designed to give users greater control over their privacy by allowing them to communicate with new contacts using a unique username instead of their personal phone number.
The platform said there would be no public directory or username suggestions, adding that anyone wishing to contact a user for the first time must know the person’s exact username.
It also introduced an optional “username key”, an additional security feature that requires a first-time contact to enter a unique key before they can send a message, providing another layer of protection against unwanted messages.
