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> WhatsApp does not protect metadata the way that Signal does. Signal knows nothing about who you are.

This isn't strictly true though, no? Signal knows your mobile phone number.

I appreciate that this is for facilitating usability, but its still a piece of metadata that can specifically be used to identify you - and signal knows it. You cant even use signal without verifying a mobile phone number AFAIK.

They really shouldnt be making false statements like this. It undermines their (otherwise admirable) position.



I think this means, assuming it’s not a burner SIM bought with cash, that someone could “only” identify you were a signal user. They wouldn’t be able to see your social graph , who you contacted and when, from where, what was said, what groups you were in.

I also thought I’d read on HN recently that they were looking at making this optional in the future but don’t quote me on that !




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