Privacy

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Why does Signal want a phone number to register if it's supposedly privacy first? (programming.dev)

submitted 1 day ago by 0101100101@programming.dev to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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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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[–] rottingleaf@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

People told you a few times to go look for yourself what Signal can give away. Its protocol descriptions are pretty understandable.

The whole bloody reason it's always recommended is because it's absolutely the best thing in terms of yes, encrypting metadata. It's state of the art, level above that bullshit you're thinking.

Unfortunately, that also means that hosting it takes lots of resources, which means they have to screen bots and mults somehow. Phone numbers are one way. Paid accounts are another.

[–] 0101100101@programming.dev -2 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Phone numbers are one way. Paid accounts are another.

Rubbish. How would this stop bots? Bots are created to make money. What makes you think creators don't have a phone number, or be prepared to pay to spam.

[–] xthexder@l.sw0.com 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Phone numbers cost money, which means they're not easy to create in bulk, and therefore banning or blocking spam numbers is much easier than if it was open sign up.

[–] rottingleaf@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

One account per phone number versus infinity of accounts without.

[–] 0101100101@programming.dev 0 points 1 day ago

signal accounts... signal accounts everywhere!