Introducing usernames and phone number privacy on Signal!
We’re making it possible for people to connect with each other without having to share phone numbers. Now launching to beta users, available for everyone soon.
1. New default: Your phone number will no longer be visible in Signal
2. You can create an optional username to connect without sharing your phone number
3. You can enable a new, optional privacy setting to require people to connect with you via username instead of phone number
A Signal username isn't the profile name that’s displayed in chats, and isn't visible to the people you chat with on Signal. A username is simply a way to initiate contact on Signal without having to share your phone number. (You still need a phone number to sign up for Signal.)
@signalapp
I have two reasons that I do not use signal.
1. You require my phone number. You do not need my personal identifying information. As long as you require information about me that you do not need, I will not trust that you are as secure as you claim to be.
2. You do not use a federated system. If I could set up my own signal server and communicate with friends on your server, I would be more willing to trust the end to end encryption.
Either of these are better options than Signal because you can use decentralized servers without a phone number.
SimpleX @simplex
Session @session