{"id":21,"date":"2026-03-22T05:44:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T05:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/?p=21"},"modified":"2026-03-22T05:45:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T05:45:09","slug":"what-is-the-new-contacts-list-feature-in-whatsapp-business-that-will-take-effect-in-april-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/what-is-the-new-contacts-list-feature-in-whatsapp-business-that-will-take-effect-in-april-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the new &#8220;contacts list&#8221; feature in WhatsApp Business that will take effect in April 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>On March 18, 2026, many businesses using the WhatsApp Business platform received an email announcing the new WhatsApp contacts list feature, as well as an update to its cloud API terms and conditions, which will take effect on April 2, 2026. In this article, I will try to explain what this update entails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/what-is-the-new-contacts-list-feature-in-whatsapp-business-that-will-take-effect-in-april-2026\/#The_WhatsApp_Email\" >The WhatsApp Email<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/what-is-the-new-contacts-list-feature-in-whatsapp-business-that-will-take-effect-in-april-2026\/#Main_Changes_Mentioned_in_the_Announcement\" >Main Changes Mentioned in the Announcement<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/what-is-the-new-contacts-list-feature-in-whatsapp-business-that-will-take-effect-in-april-2026\/#New_Contacts_Feature\" >New Contacts Feature<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/what-is-the-new-contacts-list-feature-in-whatsapp-business-that-will-take-effect-in-april-2026\/#Changes_to_How_Meta_Uses_Data\" >Changes to How Meta Uses Data<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/what-is-the-new-contacts-list-feature-in-whatsapp-business-that-will-take-effect-in-april-2026\/#What_do_users_need_to_do\" >What do users need to do?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/what-is-the-new-contacts-list-feature-in-whatsapp-business-that-will-take-effect-in-april-2026\/#Why_is_this_change_relevant\" >Why is this change relevant?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/what-is-the-new-contacts-list-feature-in-whatsapp-business-that-will-take-effect-in-april-2026\/#Some_Side_Effects_and_Temporary_Outages\" >Some Side Effects and Temporary Outages<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_WhatsApp_Email\"><\/span>The WhatsApp Email<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The email that reached many people and businesses was an official notice from Meta (the company behind WhatsApp) from the email address no-reply@messaging.metamail.com, addressed to those using the WhatsApp Cloud API (the cloud version of the WhatsApp Business Platform API, which businesses and developers use to integrate WhatsApp into their systems, CRMs, bots, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/email-whatsapp-business-18-march-2026-1024x365.png\" alt=\"email whatsapp business 18 march 2026\" class=\"wp-image-23\" style=\"aspect-ratio:2.805574439157036;width:604px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/email-whatsapp-business-18-march-2026-1024x365.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/email-whatsapp-business-18-march-2026-300x107.png 300w, https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/email-whatsapp-business-18-march-2026-768x274.png 768w, https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/email-whatsapp-business-18-march-2026.png 1220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Main_Changes_Mentioned_in_the_Announcement\"><\/span>Main Changes Mentioned in the Announcement<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are the main changes mentioned in the WhatsApp email:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"New_Contacts_Feature\"><\/span>New Contacts Feature<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>WhatsApp is launching usernames as an option for end users (similar to Instagram or Telegram). The goal of these usernames is to allow people to chat without revealing their real phone numbers. This represents a drastic change, as businesses will no longer be able to access a user&#8217;s phone number (unless the user enables it).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To prevent conversations from being interrupted when a customer uses a username instead of a phone number:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meta will automatically store the user&#8217;s contact information (primarily the phone number plus an internal identifier called BSUID, or Business-Scoped User ID) on its servers (on behalf of the company) for the duration of the chat. This only happens when there is interaction: when messages\/calls are sent or received with that user.<br>The purpose of this feature is to maintain conversation continuity even if the user hides their number.<br>This feature is enabled by default for all companies and users who use the Cloud API.<br>This feature can be manually disabled from March 18, 2026, in the business settings in Meta Business Suite (Business Information section).<br>If this feature is left enabled, Meta stores this data in its cloud, which helps the platform, but means that Meta has temporary access to this contact information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Changes_to_How_Meta_Uses_Data\"><\/span>Changes to How Meta Uses Data<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/legal\/WhatsApp-Business-Platform-Cloud-API-preview?content_id=YDGM2vLlIidt0OQ&amp;_rdc=1&amp;_rdr#\" title=\"\">terms and conditions<\/a><\/strong> regarding how Meta uses and processes data to improve its API have been updated to include consolidating and anonymizing data to combat spam, improving platform features, and generating internal statistics and analytics. It&#8217;s important to note that the terms are now called &#8220;WhatsApp Business Platform Cloud API Terms.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_users_need_to_do\"><\/span>What do users need to do?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Review the updated terms when they become available (a preview is expected around March 19, 2026; likely via a link like the one mentioned or at developers.facebook.com).<br>If you continue using the Cloud API after April 2, 2026, you automatically accept the new terms (this is typical in these notices).<br>If you disagree (for example, due to privacy concerns or data storage issues with Meta), you would need to stop using the API or disable the address book feature.<br>Check your account settings (the link is provided in the email) for more details. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_this_change_relevant\"><\/span>Why is this change relevant?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This announcement is relevant because it relates to the upcoming WhatsApp change in 2026: usernames and number privacy. Without this &#8220;address book&#8221; in the Meta cloud, businesses using the API could lose the ability to identify and continue chats with customers who choose to hide their numbers. Meta has made this change to ensure business continues to function smoothly, but it means they will temporarily store contact data on their servers (an option that can be disabled).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your business uses the Cloud API (not the regular WhatsApp Business app), it&#8217;s worth having your Meta Business Suite administrator review it (especially after March 18-19).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some_Side_Effects_and_Temporary_Outages\"><\/span>Some Side Effects and Temporary Outages<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While each case is unique (since companies use the WhatsApp Business API differently), some businesses that were viewing WhatsApp Business messages in their Meta Business Suite have been unable to view them since March 18th or 19th (as if WhatsApp Business had disconnected from the Meta Business Suite). Similarly, some companies using CRM with WhatsApp Business have also experienced service disconnections. There are also cases of companies that have not experienced any issues. As mentioned before, this depends on how the WhatsApp Business account is being used and configured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Note: This is still under development, and I will provide updates as they become available.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On March 18, 2026, many businesses using the WhatsApp Business platform received an email announcing the new WhatsApp contacts list feature, as well as an update to its cloud API terms and conditions, which will take effect on April 2, 2026. In this article, I will try to explain what this update entails. The WhatsApp &#8230; <a title=\"What is the new &#8220;contacts list&#8221; feature in WhatsApp Business that will take effect in April 2026?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/what-is-the-new-contacts-list-feature-in-whatsapp-business-that-will-take-effect-in-april-2026\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about What is the new &#8220;contacts list&#8221; feature in WhatsApp Business that will take effect in April 2026?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-meta"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21\/revisions\/25"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.josemorenojimenez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}