SOT: WhatsApp settings (privacy)

Feb 15, 2026 Last reply: 5 months ago 1 Replies
S

I was invited to join a WhatsApp group. I am concerned about my contact number being disseminated to an entire group of people that I may or may not know. I wondered if it is possible to suppress my number.



I have looked at Google. The majority answer is that it is not possible to hide your number in a group message. The minority answer is that there is a new feature being rolled out 'Phone Number Privacy' to hide numbers in community-based groups. I cannot find this anywhere. Has anyone encountered it as yet?


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D

No, well not in the groups normally used by whatsapp.

I believe this is referring to a feature of WhatsApp called "Communities" rather than a normal group for a local community of people. These are a WhatsApp feature that is often used by organisations such as walking groups or similar that have social events. Our local Campaign for Real Ale has one...

Within each community there can be multiple groups which any community member can join. So often for a walking community a group will be created for each walk, those going on the walk may join it, so only those going on the walk see the discussion, those not interested don't. It is only within groups like this where you can hide your number...

.. but most groups within whatsapp, even though they are for "a community" they are just normal groups, and within those everyone can see you number.

Dave

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