this post was submitted on 11 May 2025
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Privacy

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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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[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

you will still need a phone number to sign up for Signal

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (2 children)

in the end of the day, the end user needs an id. this is perfect for the everyday user, but obviously if you are writing anti regime articles, you might want to look around for more anonim apps.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Is it possible to use a voip based SMS for registration?

Those are a little easier to get anonymously then physical sim cards.

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[–] Maverick604 4 points 4 days ago (11 children)

Session is an alternative that does not require, or request, your phone number (or any other identifying information). Honestly, I have no idea why Signal got popular and Sessions did not. As soon as Signal asked for my phone number that set off alarm bells for me and I’ve never really trusted it since.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago (3 children)

I believe you can delete your phone number once you're up and running, but yeah that seems like an anti-feature.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I see an option to change it, not delete. It's still attached to a SIM card which requires identity verification in many states.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago

You're right. That is odd.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

When anyone get a copy of your data, nothing will bring it back.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (2 children)

There is a lot of FUD here. It's just like anti-vaxxers claiming vaccines make you autistic or have microchips in them: they don't understand what they're talking about, have different threat models, and are paranoid.

Messages are private on signal and they cannot be connected to you through sealed sender. There have been multiple audits and even government requests for information which have returned only the phone number and last connection time.

Anti Commercial-AI license

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