Even more privacy: Signal is testing the ability to use a nickname instead of a phone number

You can share a link to your name in the messenger, but the number will remain secret

The developers of the Signal messenger, which is positioned as an application for secure exchange of encrypted messages, have begun testing a new feature. Information about this appeared in the Signal community. The new option suggests that you can use your username (nickname) instead of your phone number. This will prevent other contacts from seeing the Signal user’s phone number. You can use a QR code or link to share your contact.

Even more privacy: Signal is testing the ability to use a nickname instead of a phone number

The new feature is currently at the internal testing stage. As the application developers noted, this is something like a parallel Signal universe: to test the function, you need to register a new, separate account, and then run a build of the messenger where this option is implemented. Then, in the profile settings in the “Confidentiality” section, you can set a username, which will be available to other contacts instead of a phone number. In this way, you will be able to communicate only with the same visitors of the “parallel universe” who have registered to test the new function.

At this stage, the developers do not guarantee the stable operation of this version of the application. This build of Signal is available for Android, iOS (you’ll have to use XCode) and desktop operating systems. After internal testing, the developers will decide on larger-scale testing of the new feature and public access to the new version of the application.