I remember a time when visiting a website that opens a javacript dialog box asking for your name so the message “hi <name entered>” could be displayed was baulked at.

Why does signal want a phone number to register? Is there a better alternative?

  • foremanguy@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    13
    arrow-down
    22
    ·
    1 day ago

    It’s not an argument. Think about regular mobile numbers, are they preventing spams? No.

        • Scolding7300@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          9 hours ago

          I misread the comment you replied to originally (thought they were referring to bot spam prevention)… Signal doesn’t work like the phone network, you can’t necessarily just “call” or “text” a random person. There’s also additional verification before you can send messages sometimes.

      • Detun3d@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        58 minutes ago

        The point, I believe, wasn’t about spam but likely got derailed. It was probably about the phone number requirement being unnecessary. I’ll just add that even if it is, it’s a measure geared towards common users that often need to recover access to their accounts through means they’re already familiar with, as is a verification SMS. It’s not the safest nor the most private, but it’s easier to deal with for most people. Whoever wants something that doesn’t depend on a SIM or eSIM should try Briar and SimpleX. None of these will be a perfect solution for every single person though.

      • foremanguy@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        17 hours ago

        I don’t know what is spam for you, but when you get three message requests from three girls respectively named Tania, Clara and Ella that are contacting you about you carrier or your management skills, I call it spam.

        The way that Signal integrates phone number is odd because it opens up the spam door. O understand why Signal use phone numbers this way (to make “normies” adopt Signal more easily like WhatsApp would do) but it not the best to kind of contaminate the network with the traditional cell network

      • rirus@feddit.org
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        11 hours ago

        Because Signal has a low user base. Why Spam on Signal, if you can reach everyone with an SMS?