Getting Started With Signal's New In-App Message Requests
Signal recently added an additional level of security when communicating within the smartphone app by adding a new message request feature to the secure messaging service. This new first point of contact feature gives people more options and security in deciding who can contact them and what information they will share. These message requests are sent by sharing the person's Signal profile.
Signal is a quickly growing secure messaging software that uses end-to-end encryption to secure all calls and messages. Signal itself cannot access or listen to any calls or messages sent in the app, ensuring complete privacy for all who use it. The app has been commended by several big names in the tech world for it's free, open-source approach to its software and its status as the non-profit Signal Foundation, funded entirely from donations and grants.
The Signal blog explains, that while profiles were added over two years ago, the service recently streamlined the interface and utilized profiles as the first point of contact when sending a message request. Due to the growing number of conversations within the app, messaging requests gives members of the Signal community even more control over who can message them or access their profile. When another person who isn't in the user's contacts messages or adds them to a group, the user can now see more details on that person before deciding to accept, delete or block the conversation. Additionally, if an unknown person tries to call through Signal, the phone will not ring until the request has been accepted. Just like the rest of Signal's software, profiles and message requests are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring only the two people communicating are aware of the interaction. Signal itself does not have access to any of that metadata.
Privacy-conscious people using the service will likely already be familiar with their Signal profile. The software requires a first name (nickname or emoji is fine) of which Signal can never see. Others interacted with on Signal can see these details however, so they need to be able to recognize whom they are communicating with. Last names and photos are optional. When someone sends you a message request, you have the option of the following: if you accept that contact, they will be able to view your profile, they're added to your contact list and will subsequently, have the ability to message or call you. You can also block the contact in which that person will not be able to see your name or photo, you will no longer be able to see any requests from that person, and they will not know that you have blocked them.
This software has a similar approach to group conversations as well, but with more information than a standard text group. When a group message request is sent, you are able to see the Signal profiles (and photos) of each member in the group before you even choose to accept. This is much less confusing than a bunch of random phone numbers. If you choose to block the group, the members are blocked from seeing your profile, you leave the group, you will no longer receive messages from said conversation and you cannot be re-added. If you're tired of a particular conversation but feel that a block is too aggressive, there is also the delete option. If you delete a group conversation, the entire chat history is deleted and you are removed from the group. However, unlike the block option, you have the ability to be re-added should you so choose. It's clear to see why Signal has grown in participants so rapidly.
Its end-to-end encryption offers piece of minds for all who communicate within the software, and the addition of message requests is on par with the company's extraneous privacy measures. During a current period in tech history where privacy has become a major issue on smartphones, software like Signal has the potential to be the standard medium in which people communicate digitally in the future.
Source: Signal