India, June 3 -- WhatsApp is preparing to introduce a feature that will change how users share their contact information. Soon, users will connect through usernames instead of phone numbers. This update will address a long-standing privacy concern by allowing users to keep their phone numbers hidden while still chatting on the platform.

For years, sharing a phone number on WhatsApp has involved risks. Many users (especially women) hesitate to give out their numbers due to privacy issues and the potential for unwanted messages or calls. Scams and spam have increased, especially those that target exposed phone numbers. In some cases, sharing a number once can lead to repeated unsolicited contact across various communication channels. Money...