signal requires a phone number to sign up. a phone number could be used to trace your signal account back to you. so why do people, especially privacy enthusiasts and experts (like edward snowden), still use it and endorse it when it lacks anonymity in that sense? i get that people could use a voip number or something to sign up, but still.
I agree with you, but I dont. The bloat is optional and important. Because the bloat is features and people want features.
The thing with the email is a fair point and I wont suggest just hosting your own email or matrix server cuz thats a silly argument.