Signal Messenger will soon let customers share usernames instead of phone numbers on the platform, centering more on their commitment to being the top encrypted messaging platform in the world. Soon, the app would allow users to craft their unique usernames on the app that would be exclusive to their accounts, one that would avoid the need to hand out their phone numbers to people they want to connect with.
The feature is currently under beta, and the company said this new experience would be available shortly.
Signal Messenger Usernames are Coming for All
Signal Messenger announced via its blog post that in the coming weeks and months, the platform would roll out support for usernames on the app for a more private communication experience. The company wants its users to keep their phone numbers private, no longer needing this identification to share their contacts with people wishing to connect.
Usernames will soon be the new default for Signal Messenger, unlike before, where it would rely on phone number sharing to connect users.
Signal noted that usernames would not be permanent handles, as they would differ from the profile names visible on conversation threads.
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Keep Phone Numbers Private with Signal
The Signal feature is still in the beta phase, but the company said it would slowly roll out the experience in the coming weeks for all to set up their accounts.
Each Signal customer will be given a unique username that they can only use. Signal also said that users may change their usernames, but their old ones would be available for others and not reserved for that specific user.
Moreover, users may opt to hide their phone numbers via the new Settings added by Signal.
Signal Messenger and its Features
Back in 2021, the renowned encrypted messaging platform Signal Messenger saw a massive spike in downloads and patronage from the world, with the app seeing many people use its services as an alternative to WhatsApp. This was because of the significant changes in Meta's privacy policy for the instant messaging app, syncing user data with Facebook Messenger.
Since then, Signal Messenger has kept its footing as one of the known encrypted messaging apps in the world, promising a safe and private experience on the platform, unlike that of Meta.
Through the years, Signal debuted new intuitive features to the platform to make it more appealing whenever communicating with friends, families, or colleagues.
However, Signal has since used phone numbers to identify users and help them connect with other people via the app, and while it is safe on the app, there is still a risk with sharing this type of information. In their commitment to user privacy and security, Signal is changing that, soon allowing all users to create a username to use on the app, sharing this unique identification instead of numbers.
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