Signal Introduces Usernames, Allowing Users to Keep Their Phone Numbers Private

Stop-to-finish encrypted (E2EE) messaging app Signal stated it is really piloting a new function that will allow people to build one of a kind usernames (not to be puzzled with profile names) and continue to keep the phone quantities away from prying eyes.

“If you use Signal, your phone variety will no longer be visible to anyone you chat with by default,” Signal’s Randall Sarafa claimed. “Individuals who have your selection saved in their phone’s contacts will even now see your phone quantity because they by now know it.”

Setting a new username involves account holders to offer two or more figures at the end of it (e.g., axolotl.99) in an effort and hard work to retain them “egalitarian and lessen spoofing.” Usernames can be improved any selection of occasions, but it really is well worth noting that they are not logins or handles.

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Place in different ways, a username is an anonymous way to initiate conversations on the chat system devoid of having to share phone figures. The characteristic is opt-in, though Signal stated it truly is also taking actions to conceal by default users’ phone quantities from other folks who do not have them saved in their phone’s contacts.

In addition, people can control who can uncover them by their quantities working with a different setting, limiting individuals from messaging them even if they are in possession of the phone numbers.

Both equally these alternatives can be toggled via the adhering to ways –

• Configurations > Privacy > Phone Amount > Who Can See My Quantity > Most people / Nobody
• Options > Privacy > Phone Number > Who Can Find Me By Amount > Most people / No person

“Your phone variety will no extended be seen to people today you chat with on Signal, until they have it in their phone’s contacts,” Sarafa claimed. “You will also be in a position to configure a new privacy placing to restrict who can discover you by your phone range on Signal.”

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