If it ask for your phone number its not private. (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 days ago by lunatique@lemmy.ml to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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Nowadays, a majority of apps require you to sign up with your email or even worse your phone number. If you have a phone number attached to your name, meaning you went to a cell service/phone provider, and you gave them your ID, then no matter what app you use, no matter how private it says it is, it is not private. There is NO exception to this. Your identity is instantly tied to that account.

Signal is not private. I recommend Simplex or another peer to peer onion messaging app. They don't require email or phone number. So as long as you protect your IP you are anonymous

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[-] dysprosium@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

Dude ever heard of a double edged sword? As I already stated, requiring a phone number HAS downsides but it also has upsides.

There will be more spam and scam accounts to worry about on Signal than on SimpleX, I can almost guarantee it! At least if simpleX gets more popular of course. But yes, no phone number does indeed increase anonymity, but not so much privacy.

I view Signal as the bridge between absolute non-techies and me, so they can at least navigate and use the app, while I am not sacrificing too much privacy.

And I use simpleX with other people who are more tech inclined.

Pick your poison, that's the bottom line.

this post was submitted on 08 Oct 2025

69 points (75.2% liked)

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