Signal is currently testing a feature that enables users to maintain the privacy of their phone numbers by utilizing usernames. This upcoming update will allow users to connect with others without revealing their phone numbers. While users still need to link their phone numbers during the initial setup, the difference is that, with this new feature, the phone number remains private between the user and Signal. Others won’t be able to see the phone number during communication, enhancing privacy and security.
Users will have the option to share their usernames through a QR code or a link, providing a way for people to connect without needing to know the associated phone number. This feature allows users greater control over who can discover their phone numbers, with settings available under Privacy > Phone number > Who can find my number.
Interestingly, this move by Signal comes at a time when WhatsApp, another major instant messaging platform owned by Meta, is also testing a similar feature. The upcoming WhatsApp feature will enable users to set up a username instead of relying on their mobile numbers. This shift towards username-based identification is seen not only as a fun addition but also as a significant enhancement to user security and privacy in the messaging app landscape.
These developments reflect a broader industry trend toward providing users with more control over their personal information and increasing privacy options in messaging applications.
