Messenger takes a big step towards complete communication privacy.
For almost a decade, cybersecurity professionals and privacy advocates have recommended the Signal encrypted communication app as the gold standard for truly private digital communication. However, using it, paradoxically, required disclosing one particular piece of personal information to everyone you communicate with via text or calls: phone numbers. However, the latest update is designed to radically change this situation.
Now, for the first time in a long time, users can communicate without revealing their phone number. The innovation, called "phone number privacy", makes it possible to replace the phone number with a unique user name when communicating in Signal. The change provides an alternative and more secure method of identification, allowing users to remain anonymous during the communication process.
Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal, emphasized the significance of the update: "Our goal is to provide the world with a communication app that provides the highest level of privacy. We pay close attention to the needs of users from different parts of the world, especially those who are at high risk."
Three changes have been made to the new features that are currently available in beta, but which Signal plans to roll out in a more definitive version in the coming weeks. The first feature, activated by default, hides the phone number in the user's profile if it is not saved in the other person's address book. The second option allows you to create and share a unique username or QR code that contains it, simplifying the activation process. The third option, recommended for high-risk users, completely eliminates the possibility of detection by phone number, making the account available only to those who know the user's name.
However, despite significant improvements, Signal still requires a phone number when registering, which may cause some complaints among supporters of complete anonymity. Whittaker explains that maintaining the requirement is due to the need to prevent spam and facilitate the process of syncing contacts.
Cryptography experts like Matthew Green admit that while the update isn't the perfect solution to all privacy concerns, it does significantly improve data protection for most Signal users. "This is a big step in the right direction, and work on further improvements should continue," Green said.
Signal continues to find the perfect balance between usability and protecting users personal data. The new "phone number privacy" feature is a prime example of the company's desire to provide users with control over their privacy by offering advanced tools to protect their personal information in the digital age.
For almost a decade, cybersecurity professionals and privacy advocates have recommended the Signal encrypted communication app as the gold standard for truly private digital communication. However, using it, paradoxically, required disclosing one particular piece of personal information to everyone you communicate with via text or calls: phone numbers. However, the latest update is designed to radically change this situation.
Now, for the first time in a long time, users can communicate without revealing their phone number. The innovation, called "phone number privacy", makes it possible to replace the phone number with a unique user name when communicating in Signal. The change provides an alternative and more secure method of identification, allowing users to remain anonymous during the communication process.
Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal, emphasized the significance of the update: "Our goal is to provide the world with a communication app that provides the highest level of privacy. We pay close attention to the needs of users from different parts of the world, especially those who are at high risk."
Three changes have been made to the new features that are currently available in beta, but which Signal plans to roll out in a more definitive version in the coming weeks. The first feature, activated by default, hides the phone number in the user's profile if it is not saved in the other person's address book. The second option allows you to create and share a unique username or QR code that contains it, simplifying the activation process. The third option, recommended for high-risk users, completely eliminates the possibility of detection by phone number, making the account available only to those who know the user's name.
However, despite significant improvements, Signal still requires a phone number when registering, which may cause some complaints among supporters of complete anonymity. Whittaker explains that maintaining the requirement is due to the need to prevent spam and facilitate the process of syncing contacts.
Cryptography experts like Matthew Green admit that while the update isn't the perfect solution to all privacy concerns, it does significantly improve data protection for most Signal users. "This is a big step in the right direction, and work on further improvements should continue," Green said.
Signal continues to find the perfect balance between usability and protecting users personal data. The new "phone number privacy" feature is a prime example of the company's desire to provide users with control over their privacy by offering advanced tools to protect their personal information in the digital age.
