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I remember a time when visiting a website that opens a javacript dialog box asking for your name so the message "hi " could be displayed was baulked at.

Why does signal want a phone number to register? Is there a better alternative?

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[-] XenGi@feddit.org 36 points 3 months ago

One of the design goals is that they don't have a user database, so governments etc can't knock down their door demanding anything. By using phone numbers your "contacts" are not on their servers but local on your phone.

[-] Dirk@lemmy.ml 17 points 3 months ago

But your phone number is, and thus every agency can get your full name and address and location.

[-] XenGi@feddit.org 12 points 3 months ago

Yes but only yours. That's still better and only having to knock on one door to get everything.

[-] Dirk@lemmy.ml 4 points 3 months ago

If I’m the target, then this is enough.

[-] autonomoususer@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

You are not the only person using Signal.

[-] 0101100101@programming.dev 5 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

and then every phone number on your phone by arresting you and searching your phone.

[-] xthexder@l.sw0.com 7 points 3 months ago

This sounds like it's a problem no matter what method of communication you use, unless you keep no address book and memorize everything.

[-] 0101100101@programming.dev 5 points 3 months ago

During registration they want a phone number to send a verification code. I know I am me. They don't need to verify that.

[-] krimson@lemmy.world 34 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

They do. Otherwise anyone can register with your phone number and start messaging as if they were you.

If you want more privacy you'd need something like Simplex.

[-] 0101100101@programming.dev 5 points 3 months ago

... but why require numbers in the first place.

[-] IttihadChe@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 months ago

They need to verify using a phone number because otherwise other people could sign up using your phone number and pretend to be you? What?

They can only sign up using your phone number if they do require a phone number. If they didn't ask for a phone number then how would people sign up using your phone number?

[-] rirus@feddit.org 4 points 2 months ago

That's WRONG they have a Database of every Phone number registered to them and metadata like the last time they logged in. You send all your contacts numbers to signal so they can respond who is also using Signal.

this post was submitted on 11 May 2025
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