That's another layer of protection for your account. Some users using the beta branch of WhatsApp are prompted to verify their accounts using their...
    • ijeff@lemdro.idOPMEnglish
      14·
      1 year ago

      As an aside, I’d personally prefer the option to use email instead of phone numbers on Signal.

      • SirEDCaLot@lemmy.todayEnglish
        3·
        1 year ago

        Apparently it’s coming. It’s been on the way for quite some time, but the chatter I see suggests it is actively being worked on.

        • NicoCharrua@lemmy.caEnglish
          4·
          1 year ago

          If you go to the View Safety Number page of a chat, you’ll see that they’re changing the safety numbers. Here’s the explanation they gave.

          Image: Why are safety numbers being updated? // The legacy safety number format depended on phone numbers. The new safety number format does not. // In order to support upcoming features like usernames, where you will be able to start a conversation using someone's Signal username without necessarily knowing their phone number, the way that safety numbers are generated needs to be updated too. // On a technical level, the legacy safety number format is a numeric hash of the associated phone numbers and public keys. Instead of using phone numbers, the new safety number format is a numeric hash of the associated account IDs and public keys. // The set of public keys that are verified during the comparison process is exactly the same.

          I’m glad to see progress is being made! I wonder if after usernames are added people will use it to message people on the internet, like discord is used.

    • Gunpachi@lemmings.worldEnglish
      14·
      1 year ago

      I feel the same way. Unfortunately friends and family just doesn’t use anything other than Whatsapp. I’ve tried moving some of them to signal but they were back on WhatsApp within a week or two.

      • BearOfaTime@lemm.eeEnglish
        62·
        1 year ago

        I just stop communicating with them. I know, it’s not always possible, but I figure with other adults I can make it painful for them.

        I despise SMS, yet people continually chat with me there. When they don’t hear from me I let them know I never got their messages, so the can see first hand how bad a tool it is.

        • Scolding7300@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          I never got their messages

          That might be just it, the perfect excuse to help ppl move (double edged though, can be used against you too). Thanks for sharing this tip!

    • meiko60@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
      10·
      1 year ago

      well, if nobody in your circle and it is mandatory for your job. you have to suck it up to use this app.

      • BearOfaTime@lemm.eeEnglish
        52·
        1 year ago

        If my job nadates whatsapp, I’d be asking serious questions about their security attitude.

        I’d also be asking for a company phone. Sorry, my personal phone is not for business, and I’m not risking my personal device being subpoena’d because you guys are idiots.