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.

https://signal.org/blog/phone-number-privacy-usernames

Keep your phone number private with Signal usernames

Signal’s mission and sole focus is private communication. For years, Signal has kept your messages private, your profile information (like your name and profile photo) private, your contacts private, and your groups private – among much else. Now we’re taking that one step further, by making your...

Signal Messenger
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 THAT IS LITERALLY THE PROBLEM!!!!

https://infosec.space/@kkarhan/111965203762428237

Do you really understand WHY I won't udlse #Signal or any other #centralized #SingleVendor / #SingleProvider chat service??

It's bcause at best your setup is endangering people if not a #Metadata harvesting scheme that is being tolerated due to massive amounts of data it provides to U.S. #INTEL as per #CloudAct!

Kevin Karhan (@[email protected])

@[email protected] WHY DID YOU EVEN COLLECT, STORE AND USE #PhoneNumbers IN THE FIRST PLACE?? It's bad and you used said info to enforce #cyberfacist bs. and restricted availability of features to people based off their number! Also phone numbers are never free to obtain and often not possible.to obtain anonymoisly in any legal way, so using them is inherently bad!!!

Infosec.Space