So does Telegram, last time I checked? I always found it funny - here's a privacy focused alternative to Whatsapp! But we'll need your phone number, first. Why

So does Telegram, last time I checked? I always found it funny - here's a privacy focused alternative to Whatsapp! But we'll need your phone number, first. Why? Oh, y'know, to limit spam and stuff. 'cuz that definitely can't be done any other way. Sure, I can get prepaid cards. Or I can just use Whatsapp. If I do anything illegal, I can do better than Telegram.