WhatsApp's Phone Number Privacy for Communities is rumoured to be rolling out to Android and iOS beta testers

According to reports, WhatsApp is introducing a new privacy-focused feature for community members. The previously mentioned experimental feature would allow users to mask their phone numbers when joining a community. The "phone number privacy" function is apparently accessible to all Android and iOS beta testers. By disguising their identities and phone numbers from other members of the community, individuals may join in conversations and display their replies to messages. The Meta-owned instant messaging service has not stated when it plans to make the phone number privacy option available to all users.

According to WABetainfo, a WhatsApp features tracker, WhatsApp has introduced a phone number privacy feature for communities for all Android and iOS beta testers. It is stated to be available for all Android and iOS beta testers with WhatsApp beta version 2.23.14.19 for Android and iOS 23.14.0.70 beta version for iOS.

While joining a community, the user's phone number can be concealed from all members using this option. The list of community members is now concealed in the community announcement group, but if a user engages with messages via responses, their phone number will be displayed. The new phone number privacy function ensures that your phone number is hidden from other Community members even when you add replies to a message.

The post also offers a snapshot of the phone number privacy function for communities, which gives consumers a sense of what it will look like once it is generally available. It is accessible via the 'Community announcement group info'. When you enable this function, WhatsApp notifies you that your phone number will be hidden from all participants save the community admin and members who have previously stored their contact information. Because the community admin's phone number is always displayed, this new privacy feature is only available to community members. Users will also have the option to share it with select community members later, if desired.

However, the phone number privacy function has not yet been formally confirmed by WhatsApp. It is possible that it will alter before the final release. If you want to try out the new security feature, you can get the current version of WhatsApp from Google Play, Apple Store, or the TestFlight app.