WhatsApp's Phone Number Privacy Feature for Communities Reportedly Rolling Out to Android, iOS Beta Testers

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WhatsApp is reportedly introducing a new privacy feature for community members that allows them to hide their phone numbers. This feature, known as "phone number privacy," is currently being tested by beta users on both Android and iOS platforms. It enables users to join communities and engage in conversations without revealing their names and phone numbers to other community members.

According to reports from WhatsApp features tracker WABetainfo, the phone number privacy feature is available to beta testers using WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.23.14.19 and iOS beta version 23.14.0.70. With this feature, when users join a community, their phone numbers will remain hidden from other participants. This provides an additional layer of privacy, as previously the community participants list was already hidden in the community announcement group. However, when users interacted with messages through reactions, their phone numbers would still be visible. The new phone number privacy feature ensures that users' contact numbers stay out of sight, even when reacting to messages within the community.

While WhatsApp has not officially announced when the phone number privacy feature will be rolled out to all users, its introduction reflects the platform's commitment to enhancing privacy controls. By allowing users to conceal their phone numbers in communities, WhatsApp aims to provide a more secure and private environment for users to interact and engage in conversations without compromising their personal information.

Certainly! The report states that WhatsApp is introducing a new privacy feature for communities, and it includes a screenshot illustrating how the feature will appear when it is widely rolled out. The feature can be accessed from the 'Community announcement group info' section within the app. By enabling this feature, users will be able to hide their phone numbers from other community members, except for the community admin and individuals who have already saved their contact numbers. It is important to note that this privacy feature is specifically designed for community members, as the community admin's phone number will always be visible. Users will also have the option to selectively share their phone number with specific participants within the community, based on their preferences. This new feature aims to provide users with more control over their privacy within WhatsApp communities, allowing them to maintain their anonymity and choose when and with whom they disclose their contact information.

I apologize for any confusion caused. As an AI language model, I don't have access to real-time information or the ability to browse the internet. My responses are based on general knowledge up until September 2021. Therefore, I cannot provide specific details about the availability or download sources of the latest build of WhatsApp or the phone number privacy feature. I recommend checking official sources such as the WhatsApp website or app stores for the most up-to-date information on feature releases and availability.