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Meredith Whittaker

Usernames...for everyone!!!

Usernames are now out of beta and available for anyone using the latest version of the Signal app--≥7.0.

🎁❤️

28 comments
Advanced Persistent Teapot

@Mer__edith thankyouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! ❤️❤️❤️🥰

_jayrope :hubzilla:
@Meredith Whittaker @mr.w0bb1t In terms of anonymity i see no difference as long as #Signal doesn't offer to register an account without a phone number. Yet #Threema, #Matrix and #Briar offer this already.
Distante

@Mer__edith Are you planning to add channels? They should not be anonymous or encrypted in any way

partizan

@Mer__edith @Distante why not? that's basically one feature missing to replace telegram for many people.

Joel :void: :casio:

@partizan @Mer__edith @Distante reminder that signal is not a telegram replacement :P

Mario

@partizan @Mer__edith @Distante

I don't think unencrypted communications would be something Signal would ever look at.

Emanuele Cariati

@Mer__edith Super cool. Just donated a little sum of money to Signal, I hope it helps. Keep up the good work! 💪🏻

Tio

I chose mine and I've been using Signal for so long I remember when no one knew about it really, and were wondering why I am using it. I kinda forced everyone who wanted to contact me to use Signal else they could not. So I am happy to see the progress that's being made and how much more popular it has become.

@Mer__edith I truly enjoy the sharpness you show when being interviewed about tech in general - no bla bla bla that we are all so sick of. I just "discovered" you haha.

Anyway, I noticed now that the usernames are available for more people that I start to get a bunch of spam friends requests on Signal. I wonder if this is going to become more of an issue because of the introduction of usernames.

I chose mine and I've been using Signal for so long I remember when no one knew about it really, and were wondering why I am using it. I kinda forced everyone who wanted to contact me to use Signal else they could not. So I am happy to see the progress that's being made and how much more popular it has become.

Bobby

@Mer__edith if I share my username with someone do they see my number?

Ellie Kennard

@Mer__edith
On Android? I can't see the option...

Meredith Whittaker

@EllieK Please check to make sure that you've updated to the latest version on Android, 7.0.

Ellie Kennard

@Mer__edith
Just did! Apologies and congratulations to all!

m4iler :debian: :verified_paw:

@Mer__edith @signalapp

A question:

I gave a friend my Signal username. They don't have my real name or number, I don't have them saved, but the phone number popped up after I accepted their message request.
Interestingly, mine did not show up to them. The one difference I suspect may be at fault is the Privacy setting that "no one can see my phone number" in Profile - Privacy - Phone number.

Is this expected behaviour? I can share a censored screenshot privately, if required. Thanks!

@Mer__edith @signalapp

A question:

I gave a friend my Signal username. They don't have my real name or number, I don't have them saved, but the phone number popped up after I accepted their message request.
Interestingly, mine did not show up to them. The one difference I suspect may be at fault is the Privacy setting that "no one can see my phone number" in Profile - Privacy - Phone number.

Pjol

@m4iler @Mer__edith @signalapp “ The one difference I suspect may be at fault is the Privacy setting that "no one can see my phone number" in Profile - Privacy - Phone number “

Sounds like that is the difference yes. I’m assuming you have yours set at “Nobody” (which is the default) where as your friend has switched theirs to “Everybody” resulting in you getting their number but them not getting yours.

support.signal.org/hc/en-us/ar

@m4iler @Mer__edith @signalapp “ The one difference I suspect may be at fault is the Privacy setting that "no one can see my phone number" in Profile - Privacy - Phone number “

Sounds like that is the difference yes. I’m assuming you have yours set at “Nobody” (which is the default) where as your friend has switched theirs to “Everybody” resulting in you getting their number but them not getting yours.

m4iler :debian: :verified_paw:

@pjol @Mer__edith @signalapp Aaaah, that may be it! I believe I had to change it. Not sure anymore :-D

Gaveen Prabhasara

@Mer__edith it specifically says only share the username with people you trust. Is this because of general privacy practice or are there concerns about the implementation for public scenarios (e.g., if you put it in a business card, profile picture, etc.)? Also, is the naming scheme experimental (e.g., Discord doing away with number flags later)?

Mario

@Mer__edith I use the apk version from signal website due to the main app not supporting ntfy notifications. I haven't receive the update yet. Is there any update disparity between the 2 versions?

ex_06

@Mer__edith is it necessary to wait for everyone to get on 7.0 (those 90days) to avoid leaking the account to people that already have my number?

Jake

@ex_06 @Mer__edith The username won’t be shared retroactively. It is merely a new way to get in touch in with you. Once a communication got established the name won’t be displayed anymore.
You can even change, delete and (re-)enable usernames as much as you like.
(If you meant account = username in your question.)

Sunshine

@Mer__edith Thank you @signalapp team! I have now sent reminders to all my Signal contacts about this, signing the message with "Signal's heiress". :ablobcatwink:

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