Secure messaging apps like Signal and Telegram go the extra mile to protect your privacy and secure your conversations.. But, What if you really want to chat without a trace, without revealing your personal phone number?
Although this is doable, it takes a little patience to set it up.
Signal and Telegram require your phone number
To use Sign O Telegram, you need a phone number. This number is shared with anyone you talk to while using these platforms and can even be used to find you. These apps may use end-to-end encryption and other practices to keep your information private., but that doesn't mean they are anonymous services.
People you talk to via Signal or Telegram will see the phone number you used to sign up. This could be an obstacle if you are a whistleblower, an anonymous source or someone who just doesn't want your conversations linked to your real-world phone number.
RELATED: Signal vs.Telegram: What is the best chat app?
If you already have a main Signal or Telegram account
You should think of these messaging services as an extension of your phone number.. Then, if you already have a main Signal or Telegram account and want to create an anonymous secondary one, here are some things to consider:
To Signal, only one phone number can be linked to your Signal account, which means you never have to create a password. You will need multiple smartphones to use more than one Signal account at the same time. Alternatively, you can deactivate your account and then switch to a secondary account.
In Signal, switching accounts is inconvenient, since all your conversations will be lost when you do. Since Signal is focused on security, none of your correspondence is stored in the cloud. There is no way to retrieve messages or media that you have sent or received unless you are transferring from an old device.
Telegram is not that restrictive. Telegram desktop and tablet applications allow you to log in with a separate number on a desktop or tablet application. This does not have to be linked to your smartphone or your Telegram number “real”. You can use this to your advantage, since you do not need to leave your primary account to log into a secondary one.
If you wonder if you should use Telegram or Signal for your confidential and anonymous messaging needs, it is feasible that Telegram is the most convenient option between the two. Just make sure to enable secret chats on Telegram before doing so.
Option 1: use a burner phone (the Yes)
One of the easiest ways to use a service like Telegram or Signal without leaving a trace is to register with a new phone number.. In various cases, can take a prepaid phone “burner” or a SIM card for very little (sometimes free), which you can use to log in. You do not need to send any messages using this number, so you don't need to spend money if you don't want to.
All the secondary number needs is to receive a message with a code. This code is all you need to log in using any of the services, since your phone number is only used as a means to identify you.
Signal needs access to this number the first time you log in (to receive a code). You will also need to use your primary device (an iPhone or Android smartphone) to add any paired device you want to use with your anonymous number. Paired devices may need to be reauthorized from time to time, what will require access to your SIM “tape recorder”, therefore keep it handy and activate.
Telegram works the same way, except you won't need to use a smartphone to add paired devices, since you can log in directly. Just enter your new phone number “burner”, enter the code you receive and you are ready to race.
RELATED: What is a Phone Burner and when should you use one?
Option 2: use a VoIP service like Google Voice
If you don't feel like changing SIM cards to go incognito, consider using a VoIP number instead. google voice is the obvious choice, offering a US phone number. UU. no cost to those residing in the United States. You can also use a service like Skype or any internet phone provider that gives you a number (even when it is feasible that you have to pay for it).
There are a wide variety of other apps that can also provide you with secondary phone numbers “burners”.
Once i have your number, you can register as you would regularly. To Signal, this means using a smartphone that is not yet registered for the service or removing the application from your device. And Telegram, you can download the app for the platform you choose and login.
Option 3: use a landline (just sign)
Signal is primarily designed to be used with a mobile phone number, but you can enter the number you want when registering. This includes landlines, like the one sitting at his desk at work. Unfortunately, during the tests, we could not activate Telegram with this method (but it is possible that I have more luck).
By registering in this way, you will not be able to receive your code in the standard way via SMS. Instead, you can request that Signal call you. By choosing this option, Signal should call you through an autodialer that says the required code out loud over the phone.
Signal tries to send you a code by SMS when you enter your number. If you wait a minute, you can touch the button “I did not get a code”, which will present you with the option “Call me instead”. Touch it, answer the phone and listen to the code. Next, you can use this code to login and send messages.
Telegram will also send you a code by SMS, along with a message “Haven't received the code?” , that does not offer an option to receive a phone call. This may be due to the use of an Australian mobile phone number, so your mileage may vary with this method.
Can't register a second number on your smartphone?
If you have already registered your personal number in any of the services, you may be surprised to see that there is no option to disconnect from service. The simplest alternative answer is to remove the application in question. This will delete the local data from your device (including login tokens), which will force you to log in when you download the app again.
In the case of Signal, this will delete all conversations from your device. Since Telegram allows you to log in with a number and the Telegram application for the platform of your choice (including Windows, Mac y Linux), no need to purge your smartphone. Learn how to remove apps on your iPhone or how to remove apps on Android.
If you are a Signal user, you will need to repeat the procedure to return to your account “principal” from Signal or Telegram after authorizing your secondary number.
No guarantee of anonymity
Even if you sign up for a secondary phone number, your real identity can be traced. In some countries, you must provide an ID to get a SIM card, so your phone provider can know exactly who you are, even if this information is not available to the general public.
The same goes for VoIP services like Google Voice. Although Google and Skype will not make information such as your email address and IP address available to anyone, they still keep it in their files and could be forced to hand it over to court.
If you want to cover yourself more, Telegram enables you to send messages that disappear (and also Signal).
