Apparently you need to fail verification a few times before it'll present the option. I kept giving it bogus phone numbers and eventually a "skip" button appeared.
I wouldn't trust an app where the first thing you have to do is navigate dark patterns.
I wouldn't either, but it would seem that HKers don't have many options at this time. Hope more are identified and that there aren't malicious intentions with this current one.
It's likely because of those dark patterns that they can use it in the first place given how walled garden app stores treat apps that do allow for actual anonymous or distributed messaging systems.
How is that a dark pattern? It's better if you do verify, so you can see your contacts and others can know it's you. If that fails, then we offer to use the app without verification.
Hit the verify button without any number and it'll show up at the bottom.