Thanks to its many privacy features,Signalis positioned today as one of the best alternatives to WhatsApp (like WhatsApp, it is compatible with iOS and Android). And this week, the secure messaging service is taking another step toward protecting its users, by offering a new feature that allows you to communicate with other people without revealing your phone number.
A number remains essential to create an account on Signal. But soon, users will be able to connect with other people by giving them a unique nickname or username, instead of the phone number.“This means that when you participate in group chats, message people 1-1, and make Signal calls, your phone number will only appear if the person has it saved […]. Your Signal profile name and photo will continue to be visible”, specifies Signal in its announcement.
To connect with someone via username instead of phone number, type their exact, unique username.pic.twitter.com/azgZoYqziz
— Signal (@signalapp)February 20, 2024
Besides this, the app also offers new privacy settings for the phone number. For example, it is possible to make the Signal account unfindable, even for people who have your phone number. When this setting is set to “Nobody,” people who found your number on a card, business card, etc. will see it. cannot contact you on the messaging app.
Coming soon
Unfortunately, this new feature is still being tested in beta. But it will be available to everyone in the coming weeks. Regarding identifiers, Signal specifies that these are not connection information. And this is different information from the name that appears on the profile. In addition, it can be modified at any time.
“Starting soon, your phone number will no longer be visible to people you chat with on Signal, unless they have it in their phone's contacts. You'll also be able to configure a new privacy setting to limit who can find you by your phone number on Signal., summarizes Signal, on his blog. Otherwise, contact sharing via QR code or via a link is still available.
Soon on WhatsApp?
And if most of your contacts aren't on Signal, know that a similar feature may be coming to WhatsApp soon. In any case, this is what is suggested by the WABetaInfo site. This one discovered indicating that a functionality which allows to get in touchvia usernames, and without using a telephone number, would be in development on WhatsApp.
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