WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.4.11: what's new?

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.4.11.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that automatically shares username updates, and it will be available in a future update!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.18.2 update, we announced that an advanced username feature with PIN support was under development. This feature aims to enhance user privacy by allowing people to initiate conversations using a username instead of a phone number. Additionally, the optional PIN code provides an extra layer of privacy, ensuring that only those with the PIN can contact a user for the first time via their username. It appears that WhatsApp continues to focus on developing this feature, prioritizing transparency regarding how usernames are managed and displayed to ensure a secure and clear user experience. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.4.11 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that automatically shares username updates!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature aimed at informing users when a contact or a group member sets up a username, scheduled for release in a future update. With this feature, a notification message will appear in the conversation whenever someone updates their username, ensuring all participants are informed of the change. Additionally, when a user creates a new username or modifies an existing one, a confirmation message with a confetti animation will be displayed, notifying them that the update was successful.

This feature enhances transparency by allowing users to immediately recognize and associate usernames with their respective contacts, preventing any confusion. It also ensures that users stay aware of any changes, helping them identify when a contact is using a different username than usual. This can be particularly useful in group chats with unknown participants, where an unexpected username change might raise suspicion about the person behind it.

In addition to notifying users when a username is set, WhatsApp is also working on sharing updates when a contact or group member deletes their username or changes it to a different one. This means that if someone modifies their username, the conversation will display another notification message about the change. Such updates are crucial for maintaining clarity in communication, as they prevent potential misunderstandings when usernames suddenly change. Without this feature, users might be unaware that a contact they frequently interact with has altered their username, as there would be no immediate indication of the change.

By implementing these notifications, WhatsApp aims to keep interactions transparent and make sure users stay informed about any modifications related to the usernames of all people, including those in group chats and unknown conversations. This also prevents impersonation risks, as users will be immediately alerted when a contact updates or removes their username. It's worth noting that, at the moment, there doesn't seem to be an option to disable these notifications for username updates.

A feature that automatically shares username updates is under development and it will be available in a future update. We will keep you updated with an additional article as soon as we have more details to share about this feature.

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