Chat with disposable codes (not phone numbers)
I hate giving out my phone number to strangers (spam/privacy). Most popular texting apps out there use numbers so you end up having to divulge it to text anyone.
Was thinking of building a texting app that would give a random 4-digit code to each user that is not linked to their identity.
Users start chats using the other users code. If you're being spammed, just get a new random code and no one would be able to reach you.
Good/bad/horrible idea?
Are you talking about a WhatsApp/Hangouts/etc. clone? The problem with apps like that is it takes a HUGE market share to get anyone to actually use it. I think it's an uphill battle.
That said, this gave me an idea for a product that might solve your actual problem: build an app that gives you a temporary phone number. You could use a service like Twilio to get a bunch of phone numbers, then assign one to someone for 10 minutes. They use that for whatever they need, and your app receives any incoming SMS messages and displays them to the user. Once the 10 minutes is up, it releases the phone number for someone else.
Thank you, that's a great idea but unfortunately the market I was considering first - India (and a lot of others too) - has stringent regulations about phone numbers so you need a KYC for every phone number which is a pain to deal with.
But I agree with you that it would be an uphill battle. I was thinking you could put up your code on social media too if you wanted others to reach you. You could of course switch the code later if you don't want to be reachable.
Thanks again!
Interesting idea. Not a good use for me though because most of the people who I'm texting with already knows my phone #. I think it maybe useful to if you are chatting with people you met online like indiehackers.
How are you delivering the 4 digit code? via email? If that's the case, you are still exposing some piece of your information.
Thanks for the feedback! The idea was that you could put your code out in public forums as you have full control over it. So if I were to talk to/text someone on IndieHackers I could just add it to my profile and when I think I'm getting too much spam, I just get a new code.
That way you control who can reach you.