[dropstep]

That's valuable feedback. The only thing its used for is to see what of your friends are already on the platform for you to find them and follow them (if you choose to do so and opt in, it is completely optional to take that action). This was actually a feature request from Whatcha's beta users. I think making phone an optional choice overall is a great idea, though.

[e-clinton]

I wouldn’t follow feedback from HN users on things like that too closely. We are a different bunch. Most people won’t think twice to hand over their number and would rather you ask if it means they have a better experience.

[drcongo]

It also only accepts US phone numbers, so now you have a wrong phone number for my account.