Encrypted messaging app #Signal is testing public account usernames, allowing users to connect without sharing their phone numbers. The new method requires associating an account with a phone number during setup but does not share the number when contacting other users, enhancing #privacy and #security. The username test is currently in a pre-beta stage and limited to a separate build, with no confirmed timeline for its release.

https://www.macrumors.com/2023/11/09/signal-private-messenger-tests-usernames/