Instant messaging help, please

RainbowsInTheSpray

Can anyone help a technophobe old lady with a particular issue?

I need to 'talk':

1. by text only
2. in real time with
3. someone in NZ (I am in the UK) over a protracted period of probably several weeks or months. It is to do with a family legal issue.

My problem is that I do not trust this person. I have historical reasons for this and I neither want them to see me nor, especially, to know my phone number.

Is there some app I can download which is, and I stress, ultra-SIMPL:E to use which can fit that bill?

elsien

Have a look at telegram. You can change your setting so it only shows whatever username you choose and doesn’t share your phone number.

la531983

Signal is similar also.

flaneurs_lobster

Are you familiar with WhatsApp? Is your counterparty?

In order to communicate (without using complicated cloaking/anonymising software) both parties have to swap details. Probably the easiest way to do this would be a new SIM/number, the cheapest you can find because you probably are not going to need any data or calls, in a spare mobile.

Advantage of using WhatsApp is that the conversations are retained by default, which may be a prerequisite for your need.

The other common private messaging app is Signal, will do what you want but the ability to retain messages needs a sub of $2/mth. Simple interface.

RainbowsInTheSpray

Many thanks.

So do I understand this correctly?

With both Telegram and Signal I can download the app to a smartphone. Then I can invite this other person (how? by email?) and we can then in effect 'chat' to and fro in real time textually without disclosure of phone numbers at either end?

Would it work with desktop PCs?

elsien

It does work on a desktop. You would have to let the other person know your username and you would have to check the settings to make sure that your number was hidden from them.

RainbowsInTheSpray

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82017632#Comment_82017632

Surely there is no 'number' when using a desktop, anyway..?

elsien

It’s to register and to send one time password notifications to.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82017838#Comment_82017838

Telegram is 'driven' from a mobile phone number, much like WhatsApp. You need the mobile app live as a prerequisite to using the desktop or web versions (again, like WhatsApp). Your phone number is visible in your profile unless you choose to conceal it.

Is Signal much the same?

sausage_time

Signal lets you create a username that you can share (and by default your number is hidden).

https://signal.org/blog/phone-number-privacy-usernames/

oldernonethewiser

In Signal you can click on your Settings then Privacy, then Phone Number.

Option there is Who Can See My number; Everybody or Nobody.