Signal 8.28 beta introduces optional phone-number-free registration for $3 USD via in-app purchase, using zero-knowledge proofs to prevent payment-account linkage. Users receive an Account ID and Account Key for access, with optional username and two-factor authentication support via TOTP, though account recovery is impossible if credentials are lost.
Signal has launched Signal Login, an optional registration method allowing users to create accounts without phone numbers, first on Android then iOS. The feature requires a one-time $2.99 payment to prevent spam, uses zero-knowledge proofs for privacy, and remains optional alongside traditional phone-number-based registration.