Since Signal Login is brand new and developing Signal Desktop as a standalone app requires a huge amount of work, it’s possible that the initial release will still require a phone number. However, this doesn’t have to be a number associated with a smartphone. Any phone number that can receive an SMS or a phone call should work, including landline numbers and numbers used with basic phones or dumb phones. This will make Signal accessible to users without a smartphone.

Missing the point pretty hard, eh? People who want this feature are hoping to add anonymity to the privacy that Signal’s encryption provides.

Scammers also want anonymity, which feels like why Signal has been so reluctant to provide it.