Signal has started rolling out Signal Login, an optional registration method that allows users to create a Signal account without providing a phone number. The feature will be rolled out first on Android and will come to iOS later.
As we previously reported, Signal Login is not a free alternative registration method. Signal requires users who choose to register without a phone number to make a one-time payment. The price at launch is $2.99 / € 3.49, although this may vary by region and currency.
Unfortunately, dishonest actors would take advantage of the fact that honest ones have provided the free infrastructure, and use it to spam. Signal can’t link previous donations on a different account with a new one - and for privacy reasons, that’s a good thing.
It sucks that this requires payment, but it’s quite understandable.