WhatsApp introduces contact storage across devices and plans to switch to usernames
WhatsApp has announced enhancements to its contact management features, allowing users to add and manage contacts from any device. Previously, contact management was limited to mobile devices, requiring users to input phone numbers or scan QR codes. The update will soon enable users to manage contacts via WhatsApp Web and Windows, with plans to expand to other linked devices.
Additionally, WhatsApp is introducing the option to save contacts exclusively within the app. This feature is beneficial for users who share their phones or wish to separate personal and business contacts across multiple accounts. These contacts will be backed up, ensuring they remain accessible if a device is lost or changed.
Future updates will include the ability to manage contacts using usernames, enhancing privacy by eliminating the need to share phone numbers. This development aims to provide users with greater control and security over their contact information.

Comments
Jesus Christ,
WhatsApp is a marketing joke. Signal added usernames a few back.
The only reason it's still going is due to people using it, and it just now copies Telegram and Signal. Once people use other options, they won't go back.
WhatsApp is probably close to the exact same protocol as Signal because of their partnership.
https://signal.org/blog/whatsapp/
Again, it's only marketing. Nobody knows except Facebook themselves if messages on WhatsApp are really encrypted due to the closed source nature. Facebook still have a way to access WhatsApp messages, which is not true e2e. Signal is open source and thus the encryption is more verifiable. The original WhatsApp creators themselves don't use WhatsApp any more and now work for signal. https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/8/20955638/whatsapp-brian-acton-facebook-delete-mark-zuckerberg-signal-encryption