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heavyset_go • today at 3:06 AM • 1 reply • view on HN

You can't sign up without one, and it being an option means people who are in danger won't do it.

Also, if someone's phone is confiscated, and you're in their Signal chats and their address book, it doesn't matter if you're hiding your number on Signal.

It's better to just not require such identifying information at all.

Replies

godelski • today at 5:35 AM

That's true for any system where you have contacts linked. Same thing happens when you have names and avatars.

If you don't want to link your contacts... don't link your contacts...

But this doesn't have the result that the GP claimed. The whole network doesn't unravel because in big groups like these one number doesn't have all the other contacts in their system.

For people that need it:

  | Settings 
  |- Chat
  | |- Share Contacts with iOS/Android <--- (Turn off)
  |- Privacy
  | |- Phone Number
  | | |- Who Can See My Number
  | | | |- Everybody
  | | | |- Nobody <----
  | | |- Who Can Find Me By Number
  | | | |- Everybody
  | | | |- Nobody <----
  | |- App Security
  | | |- Hide Screen in App Switcher <---- Turn on
  | | |- Screen Lock <---- Turn on
  | |- Advanced
  | | |- Always Relay Calls <-----
If you are extra concerned, turn on disappearing messages. This is highly suggested for any group chats like the ones being discussed. You should also disable read receipts and typing indicators.

Some of these settings are already set btw

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