Signal, the messaging platform, announced today that they are launching the usernames. Up until now, you have had to use your phone number to chat with someone on the messaging platform.
From now on, users can create unique usernames that can be used instead of usernames. Now, you can give your username instead of a phone number to connect to someone. The feature is still in the beta phase and will be rolling out to all users in the following weeks. However, Signal will require a phone number to register for the platform.
The end-to-end encrypted messaging platform, Signal is the best of the lot with the strongest security and privacy features. And now, Signal is closing another loophole by allowing users to keep their phone numbers private.
The company clarifies that the usernames on Signal are not like other social media platforms. These cannot be used to log in to the app or cannot be handles that you’ll be known by in the app. They are just a quick way to connect with somebody in the app without sharing your phone number.
If you decide to create a username on the app, your profile name will still display whatever it is set to. To whomever you message on Signal, they won’t be able to see or find your username unless you have shared it with them.
The platform also won’t provide a searchable username library for us like other social media platforms do.
Once you create a username, your phone number will not be visible to anyone in Signal.
