[Semaphor]

Last time I checked, the only option to login was using a phone number. And at least the web client only has the phone number as login. I do not want to give them my phone number. Full stop. They can tie my account to my email, to my domain, to a chosen username, whatever. But if your service requires a phone number to use it, it’s not something I will use.

[bmarquez]

It's still true. Telegram still uses your phone number to login, even if you never give your phone number to anybody. At least usernames are an option unlike Signal and WhatsApp.

I dislike it too, but understand the reasoning behind spam prevention and account authentication.