this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2023
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'Signal tests usernames to avoid using phone numbers.' Great move? (cybernews.com)
submitted 1 year ago by woshang to c/technology
24 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

It seems useless to me, at least regarding the cybersecurity aspect. Of course, it's helpful when people ask for my contact information, and I don't want to share my phone number or email address.

But they still require information that could be used to prove or be linked to my identity for registration, right? This means a hacker could still reveal your IP address, phone number, email, and your passcode. Likewise, the development team can access these as well.

I know I'm overly cautious about my privacy, but that's just how I am.

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[–] DV8 39 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Seems I'm in the minority but having to use my phone number as identier is exactly why I don't use apps like this, including WhatsApp. I don't care if my username gets shared, but I do not want my phone number to be shared with a bunch of randoms.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Would you be more likely to use Signal if the username tests become mainstream? Then you wouldn't need to share your phone # with everyone.

[–] DV8 2 points 1 year ago

As in use phone number to sign up but only share unique username. I'd still dislike having to use a phone number but being able to use such an app with family would be enough of a plus to finally get over it.