Did you know you can use Signal without sharing your phone number with other users? Signal introduced usernames last year, but many people still don’t realize how they work—some mistake them for their profile name, and figuring out how to share or search for usernames can be confusing. Here’s what you need to know: how usernames work, how to set yours up, how to find others, and the privacy benefits (and limitations) of this new feature.
00:00 Signal’s Game-Changing Privacy Upgrade
00:51 What Are Signal Usernames? (and Why You Should Use One)
01:34 Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Signal Username
02:14 How to Find People on Signal Without a Phone Number
03:13 The Pros & Cons of Signal’s Username System
05:14 Should You Let Signal Access Your Contacts?
05:44 How Signal Protects Your Contact List (Explained)
06:35 How to Change Your Signal Username Anytime
07:42 Hide Your Phone Number on Signal – Here’s How
08:27 Final Thoughts – Why This Feature Matters
Signal’s username feature is a big step forward for privacy, helping us move away from phone numbers and take control over the information we share. If you haven’t set up your username yet, now’s the perfect time. And the best part? You can change it anytime, as often as you like.
Brought to you by NBTV team members: Reuben Yap, Lee Rennie, Cube Boy, Sam Ettaro, Will Sandoval, and Naomi Brockwell
NBTV is a project of the Ludlow Institute, a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to advance freedom through technology.
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Our eBook “Beginner’s Introduction To Privacy:
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Watch this video on Odysee!
https://odysee.com/@NaomiBrockwell:4/signal-usernames:7
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Here are a bunch of products I like and use. Using these links helps support the channel and future videos!
Recommended Books:
Beginner’s Introduction To Privacy – Naomi Brockwell
https://amzn.to/3WDSfku
Permanent Record – Edward Snowden
https://amzn.to/305negc
What has the government done to our money – Rothbard
https://amzn.to/2KMzmcu
Extreme Privacy – Michael Bazzel (The best privacy book I’ve ever read)
https://amzn.to/3BLZ1gq
Digital version: https://inteltechniques.com/book7.html (non affiliate link)
No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State – Glenn Greenwald
https://amzn.to/2UQmJ4m
Some of my favorite products to help protect your privacy!
Brave browser: https://brave.com/nao076
Faraday bag (signal stopping, to protect your fob, credit card, computer, and phone)
https://amzn.to/3z02UiF
Data Blocker (if you’re charging your phone in an unknown port, use this so that no data is transferred)
https://amzn.to/2SVh0J2
Camera tape (electrical tape is the best tape for covering phone and computer cameras)
https://amzn.to/3Xn8xBn
USB-C to ethernet adapter:
https://amzn.to/2lOVBoy
Privacy Screens (use your phone and computer in public? Keep your information safe!)
Computer: (Search for the size right for your computer)
MacBook Air 13″ https://amzn.to/3VQvpZ7
HP/Dell/Acer/Asus/Lenovo 15.6″ https://amzn.to/3KK1Oda
Lenovo Thinkpad/HP Elitebook/Dell 14″ https://amzn.to/4enT2zq
Phone: (Search for the size for your phone, decide whether you want glass or plastic!)
Galaxy s24 – https://amzn.to/3VGgb8H
iPhone 15 – https://amzn.to/45vCd1h
Pixel 8 – https://amzn.to/3KFDuJF