yutyrannusMar 8, 2024
Signal

Phone number privacy and usernames are now rolling out to everyone using Signal version 7.0! Update your app to take advantage of these new features 🎇

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
Mar 5, 2024 at 6:38pmWeb
Show threadSherlock SchafMar 5, 2024
@signalapp how? I've Searched the Option after updating in the Morning
Show threadjforMar 5, 2024
@SuicideSchaf @signalapp
A bit weird - I had to update twice to find the new option of the username in the profile
Show threadSherlock SchafMar 5, 2024
@fae2535 @signalapp i have Seen that my App are Not 7.0 but No other Update in the AppStore at the Moment.
Show threadjforMar 5, 2024
@SuicideSchaf @signalapp
My version is 7.0 from the AppStore.
Looking at the update history it states that I downloaded version 6.61.2 on the 29th.
Maybe try again
Show threadSherlock SchafMar 5, 2024
@fae2535 @signalapp thx
Show threadunsolaciMar 8, 2024
@SuicideSchaf @signalapp Tap your profile picture in top left corner -> tap your name -> tap "Username"
Show threadBjarne OldrupMar 5, 2024
@signalapp Thank you, Signal. Personally, I'm not chatting with anyone I don't trust with my phone number. I'm also from a generation where we had phone books; my number is public anyway. But I can see how this new username feature appeals to younger generations, and I'd love to communicate with my teenagers at some point - so, well done! 😊
Show threadFishyMar 6, 2024

@oldrup @signalapp I'm generally not chatting with people I don't share my info with either. But this makes it much more appealing to join groups who may have diverse views on things where you don't want to get harassed about something. or want to be able to quietly leave and "disappear into the void"

Also it lets me add a "hit me up on Signal" button to my website without exposing my phone number to the world - which is lovely for me. I get enough spam. 😂

Show threadMark GjølMar 8, 2024
@oldrup @signalapp - Probably more important, do you want to chat with everyone who has your number? Not everyone does, and this can help them keep their signal account more private.
Show threadVEXdotblueMar 5, 2024
@signalapp Seems like a quality update to have. Glad you are keeping on updating and improving. Wonder what you'll bring next.
Show threadEduard TMar 5, 2024
@signalapp is it available only for desktop? Can't find any update for Android (PStore).
Show thread⁂Krafty⁂ #NoKingsMar 5, 2024
@edu4rdshl @signalapp the play store says it's 7.0.2. It might just not be showing that you can update yet.
Show threadEduard TMar 5, 2024
@tkk13909 @signalapp looks like I just called it.
Show thread⁂Krafty⁂ #NoKingsMar 5, 2024
@edu4rdshl @signalapp lol nice
Show threadAnomnomnomalyMar 5, 2024
@signalapp Been waiting for this to roll out, it's the one thing that's been holding me back from using signal a lot more.
Show threadjoseMar 5, 2024
@signalapp but we still need to provide the number phone in order to open a new account
Show threadManfred MayerMar 5, 2024
@castrillo @signalapp This reduces spam. ;-)
Show threadjoseMar 6, 2024
@manfredmayer @signalapp indeed
Show threadJulianMar 6, 2024
@manfredmayer @castrillo @signalapp I would certainly doubt this, as phone numbers (especially in some countries) are cheap quite cheap. So if a spammer really wants to, it's not much of an additional burden
Show threadjoseMar 6, 2024
@j_r @manfredmayer @signalapp right, eg in spain you need an ID card or passport for purchase one, on that case they can link the SIMcard ID with your "real" ID card, but yes there are "other ways"
Show threadLuna LacteaMar 5, 2024
@signalapp Very cool! I just wish no phone number was required. I want to be able to have a second account with a "normal person" profile picture & display name so people from work don't see furry stuff.
Show threadPhilip KreißelMar 5, 2024
@signalapp could you add one time invite links, that don’t give away my user name?
Show threadQuinn ComendantMar 5, 2024
@pkreissel @signalapp You can consider Signal usernames to simply be temporary invite codes, in fact they should have just named them “invite codes.” Use a username to invite someone to chat with you, then change it.
Show threadStefan LeibfarthMar 5, 2024
@pkreissel There already is, use the 'link' button. @signalapp
Show threadPhilip KreißelMar 5, 2024
@leibi @signalapp the link gives away my user name
Show threadStefan LeibfarthMar 5, 2024
@pkreissel Sorry, that is true. Did not read carefull enough. 🤦‍♂️ @signalapp
Show threadintermobility_berlin 🌻🇪🇺Mar 5, 2024

@pkreissel @signalapp According to this article, invite links that can be retracted without changing the username, are explicitly part of the new feature:

https://theintercept.com/2024/03/04/signal-app-username-phone-number-privacy/

Let’s hope that the journalists didn’t get the details wrong (and that I didn’t misunderstand the journalists). @Mer__edith can you confirm?

Signal’s New Usernames Help Keep the Cops Out of Your Data

Ephemeral usernames instead of phone numbers safeguard privacy — and makes the Signal messenger app even harder to subpoena.

The Intercept
Show threadPhilip KreißelMar 5, 2024
@intermobility @signalapp @Mer__edith but the invited people learn the user name according to the docs.
Show threadMeredith WhittakerMar 5, 2024
@pkreissel @intermobility @signalapp Yes, sharing your QR code also shares your username. But, you can change your username at any time, as many times as you want.
Show threadApicultor 🐝Mar 5, 2024

@Mer__edith @pkreissel @intermobility @signalapp Hi Meredith,

Can you retract/rotate an invite link without changing your username?

Show threadPhilip KreißelMar 6, 2024
@apicultor @Mer__edith @intermobility @signalapp You can, but all users who joined via the link will have received your username.
Show threadintermobility_berlin 🌻🇪🇺Mar 6, 2024

@pkreissel @apicultor @Mer__edith @signalapp

I’m sure you have a specific use case in mind, would you mind elaborating?

I don’t see a problem with people knowing my username once I accepted their request to communicate with me. If we are in touch already, what additional harm is done by them knowing how to get in touch with me?

Show threadintermobility_berlin 🌻🇪🇺Mar 5, 2024

@pkreissel @signalapp

👇

Show threadPavlo ShadovMar 5, 2024
@signalapp woohoo finally! 🚀
Show threadDane FREE PALESTINEMar 5, 2024
@signalapp Thank you, Signal!
Show threadAndyMar 5, 2024
@signalapp awesome, thank you!
Show threadmartins_backpackMar 5, 2024
@signalapp
This ist huge, thanks Signal 💥
Show threadEtuaMar 5, 2024
@signalapp Maybe this feature should be advertised in the app? I got no notification during first launch after update.
Show threadsuomynona1405Mar 5, 2024
@signalapp thank you guys! Very well done!!
Show threadStarry DynamoMar 5, 2024
@signalapp Fantastic work!
Show threadfelixsteiningerMar 5, 2024
@signalapp
Big step in the right direction!
Show threadzemMar 5, 2024
@signalapp
Now we just need to be able to sign up to #signal without a donor sim card.
Show threadChronicles Of KMar 5, 2024
@signalapp i love love this new signal
Show threadNuncio Bitis 🏳️‍🌈 🇵🇸 🇺🇦Mar 5, 2024
@signalapp Is that another Microsoft thing to get user data?
Show threadjoene 🏴Mar 5, 2024
@signalapp Please add the app to FDroid as well.
Show threadManfred MayerMar 5, 2024
@signalapp Great job! Well done!
Show threadThe Ancient GoodMar 5, 2024
@signalapp
Already done, thank you very much, I guess now I have *all* features I wanted, time to open wallet in support
Show threadJL RobersonMar 6, 2024
@signalapp I was using Signal till #Jan6 happened and I found out
a. Most of the insurrectionists used it as well and
b. That's how most of them got caught
Show threadColorado Springs Anti-FascistsMar 6, 2024

@jlroberson @signalapp both of these statements are false. Most did not use signal (and who cares if they did). The signal chats that were turned over to law enforcement were obtained either by breaking into people's devices or people handing the chats over.

Signal is only secure as the device it's used on and the people you use it with. This is true for any other encrypted app.

Show threadscottMar 6, 2024
@COSAntiFascists @jlroberson @signalapp

Yeah, well, that's not the only problem with Signal. The phone number thing was a problem, but it's still a closed platform, built on the assumption of unlimited CIA funding that has been pulled, and to make matters worse, has nonexistent customer service. I've been trying for months to get ANY help with a possible man-in-the-middle attack on my partner's signal chats and have heard NOTHING at all for months.

https://blog.techwork.zone/posts/mitm/

I'm very close to saying "no one should trust Signal", but really...I just want them to be what they always promised to be.
Signal Verification Failures

Technical details about a phone manufacturer producing phones which fail verification when connecting to Signal. This could be evidence of a Man-in- the-Middle attack, but I was unable to gather evidence to support that hypothesis.

Tech Workers' Syndicate
Show threadTaqwa System  Mar 6, 2024
@jlroberson @signalapp they were streaming their faces on internet and organized on social media
Show threadJL RobersonMar 6, 2024
@trans_caracal @signalapp Yes, but some who weren't got nabbed anyway on their Signal communications.
Now, let's be clear: I think it's great they got caught and want them all in prison. But it implies Signal isn't all it says it is.
Show threadTaqwa System  Mar 6, 2024
@jlroberson @signalapp signal doesn't give data to feds they don't actually store personal data aside from something like date of login or something like that
Show threadJL RobersonMar 6, 2024
@trans_caracal @signalapp I really should not have stepped into this conversation.
Show threadCody  Mar 6, 2024
@signalapp Remove the phone requerimient and add Matrix like federation and I'll consider moving from Telegram. Signal is just worse in every way save for Encryption imho... Also I already managed to make every single member of my family and friend circle to move to Telegram, it's gonna be a chore to get them to move to Signal now, so I'll only do it if it's really worth it...

(not that I expect you to care, but just thought I'd make a wishlist)
Show threadTuxicomanMar 6, 2024
@signalapp would it possible to have #xmpp compatibility ? To avoid spam, only let signal users add an #xmpp contact. But that would be opening communications.
Show threadDeusMar 6, 2024

@signalapp Dropping this question as a confused Normie who thinks "..this is GREAT for #Privacy. I don't need to use my phone number anymore".

I uninstalled and then reinstalled it. But I still need to enter my phone number to Get Started. I don't get it - what's the point if I still need to enter (and give you guys) my phone number?

CharCha - A Conversation

Show threadKeaganMar 6, 2024

@Deus @signalapp If I remember correctly, they use it for spam protection.

https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/6712070553754-Phone-Number-Privacy-and-Usernames#username_phone_number_required

Show thread/home/filbertMar 6, 2024
@signalapp
Really appreciate it! Thank you so much.
Show threadMarnicMar 6, 2024
@signalapp
🎉