[2Gkashmiri]

people regularly use VPNs and today,in 2022, that is no longer a fringe action. NORMAL people now use VPNs to bypass geo restrictions.

signal to noise ratio of people using VPNs removes the linking user device to an account to a good extent.

now, in the existing model, whatever method you use, your number is STILL a PII, in whatsapp or signal or whatever.

>then so will anything else.

100% agree but you whatever counter measures you take, your number is still available in whatsapp/signal so there is NO way to prevent that. IF these two did not have the number, then that would indeed be better but not until then

[ViViDboarder]

I’m not sure what the threat is that the phone number opens you up to.

That a government will scan all domestic phone numbers against a Signal API to identify a list of users who, at one time, installed Signal and use that list to target you? They can do the same with IP addresses of people using VPNs as well. Something is tied to you regardless.

You’re right that the Signal would allow this by phone number or IP, so it’s an additional angle at the same threat.