Signal has started rolling out Signal Login, an optional registration method that allows users to create a Signal account without providing a phone number. The feature will be rolled out first on Android and will come to iOS later.
As we previously reported, Signal Login is not a free alternative registration method. Signal requires users who choose to register without a phone number to make a one-time payment. The price at launch is $2.99 / € 3.49, although this may vary by region and currency
Signal registration without a phone number now available in Android beta (but payment required!)
https://aboutsignal.com/news/signal-registration-without-a-phone-number-now-available/
15 Comments
rumschlumpel@feddit.org · 6 pts · 3d
Oh a payment, how privacy-respecting. /s
Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 3d
Well, depends on the offered payment option (article doesn't go into detail here).
And I also don't see it to be worse than having to provide your phone number.
rumschlumpel@feddit.org · 1 pts · 3d
What's the point of introducing it if it's merely "not worse"?
Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 3d
Because "not worse" includes "better" for certain usecases, e.g. to add the Wifi-only family tablet.
rumschlumpel@feddit.org · 2 pts · 3d
I'm not paying 3.49€ for that.
Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de · 4 pts · 3d
Your choice, and a totally understandable one.
But I already paid several times even ~5€ for exactly that, so that my kids have a way to securely take part in a phone-number-free private family group chat.
(Threema based though, which had the phone-number-less option right from the start)
It is always good to just have the option.
And if you don't need it: Fine for you!
rumschlumpel@feddit.org · 2 pts · 3d
The thing is, I wanted a phone number-free option for privacy reasons, which can't be realized when its tied to payments.
Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 3d
But privacy doesn't depend on a payment per se, but entirely on the type of payment method offered (which we don't know yet, as I already stated in my original comment).
Coming back to e.g. Threema: You can buy a working Threema license key using completely anonymous payment, e.g. bitcoin, or even by cash.
Having the option to pay instead of providing the phone number has the potential to be the much more privacy friendly option, if it is done right...
Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe · 1 pts · 3d
It's no different. That's the problem.
Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 3d
But it is.
It doesn't require a phone number.
So our family tablet will finally get a Signal connection.
etaoin@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 21h
Buy prepaid debit card with cash?
LodeMike@lemmy.today · 4 pts · 3d
Let me guess, I can only get this beta by being signed in to Google Play and enrolled in a beta program?
Edit: yep...