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Why does Signal want a phone number to register if it's supposedly privacy first? (programming.dev)

submitted 3 months ago by 0101100101@programming.dev to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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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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[-] mikael@lemmy.ml 127 points 3 months ago

Because they're building a private, not anonymous, instant messenger. They've been very open about this.

[-] autonomoususer@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Our phone numbers are not private from them.

Despite this, escaping WhatsApp and Discord, anti-libre software, is more important.

[-] onlinepersona@programming.dev 29 points 3 months ago

Nothing "derailing" us. Not everyone has the same threat model. The messages are private and that's what's most important. Signal can only provide phone number and last connection time to the feds. If that's too much information for you, then you're not the target group and have a different threat model.

Anti Commercial-AI license

[-] 0101100101@programming.dev 4 points 3 months ago

The messages are private and that’s what’s most important.

No, that isn't true. WhatsApp has the same lies. Law enforcement connect communication between users at key times and use it as credible evidence. Why would drug exporter 1 be communicating with drug buyer 1 at the exact time the delivery arrives in the country? Law enforcement doesn't need to know what was written.

[-] onlinepersona@programming.dev 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

What are you talking about? Are you saying sealed sender is a lie? If so, I want some proof.

Anti Commercial-AI license

this post was submitted on 11 May 2025

220 points (100.0% liked)

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