The capacity to locate a user’s presence on the social media platform through the use of their telephone number represents a specific function of the system. For instance, an individual may input a phone number into the platform’s search bar, with the intent of identifying the profile associated with that specific number.
This feature historically provided a convenient method for individuals to connect with acquaintances and establish new relationships. However, it also presents certain privacy implications. The ability to easily discover a profile using a phone number could lead to unwanted contact or data aggregation, leading to policy changes over time to increase user control over their data visibility.