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Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption

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Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption

#111
post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would ditch WhatsApp in a heartbeat if Signal had a browser client.

In my opinion Desktop Clients > Browser Clients when it comes to messengers. If you have more than ten tabs open it is annoying to always have to switch tabs or break out a window. Having a desktop application that remembers where you want to save stuff people send you is a plus too.

I trust the browser security model more than the desktop app security model

Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption

#112
post #23

Honest question for those in the know: If I wanted to run my own personal “analysis” to verify the security of Signal, where would I start? Is it even possible? Just curious if there was a way to “know” rather than “trust”.

The first step would probably involve getting a PhD in cryptography...

I file that under snarky comment.

Certainly not required. A PhD will teach you a lot about methodology but not necessarily the technical details required and involved in secure multi-party or P2P messaging.

Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption

#114
post #99
post #92

The biggest drawback with Signal for protesters is that it exposes the user's phone number to everyone else in groups (just like WhatsApp does). There is no way to even hide the fact that you have an account on Signal. I can add phone numbers by enumeration into my contacts and Signal will show who among my contacts is on it. If the authorities don't use tactics like they did in Hong Kong, the protesters may be safe…

Signal is not only used by protesters[0][1] so discovering that a phone number is connected to a Signal account by no means implies that the phone is used by a protester. [0]: https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2020/01/23/deploye... [1]: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/17/tories-swit...

Yeah, if you're ever asked why you're on Signal, just say you wanted to stay in touch with a programmer friend who's not on Facebook/WhatsApp, and they suggested Signal (that is now literally true as well - I suggest you try Signal, friend)

Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption

#115
post #99
post #92

The biggest drawback with Signal for protesters is that it exposes the user's phone number to everyone else in groups (just like WhatsApp does). There is no way to even hide the fact that you have an account on Signal. I can add phone numbers by enumeration into my contacts and Signal will show who among my contacts is on it. If the authorities don't use tactics like they did in Hong Kong, the protesters may be safe…

Signal is not only used by protesters[0][1] so discovering that a phone number is connected to a Signal account by no means implies that the phone is used by a protester. [0]: https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2020/01/23/deploye... [1]: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/17/tories-swit...

In fact, that's the main reason I'm using it, and the main counter-argument to 'I've got nothing to hide', IMHO. Sure I don't, but there are plenty of people who justifiably do.

Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption

#116

Long-time Signal user but I'm on the verge of moving I think. There are several UX shortcomings but the new PIN nag is a bridge too far. What are my options for alternatives? I imagine Telegram is the next best bet but very open to suggestions.

Threema. Don’t provide your phone number when signing up, and don’t permit it to access your address book. Set a recovery password. It’s not free, but a one small fee per app is worth getting my privacy back.

Oh and it’s hosted outside the jurisdiction of 5-eyes!

Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption

#117
post #95

I hope one day apps like Signal will be the default for everyone , not just protesters in a time of crisis.

I don't think that's a great idea until Signal stops exposing the phone number of the user to everyone else (for all the bashing that Telegram gets on cryptography, it has mechanisms to hide one's phone number and even the fact that one has a Telegram account from others).

Given that they're working on that, that's very likely going to be the case before we've managed to get everyone to use it

Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption

#118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's my default and over a few years I've pretty much converted everyone in my life except my mom

Sadly, my (65 year old) mum is the only one I managed to convince to use to Signal. All my (mid-30s) friends won't budge from WhatsApp.

[deleted]

Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption

#119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would ditch WhatsApp in a heartbeat if Signal had a browser client.

Will only ever happen once Signal ditches their dependency on mobile phone number.

I don't see how the two are related? They've already got a Desktop client.

Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption

#120
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does it tho? It changed a lot during the last years and for most stuff I do with my friends (videocalls, textmessages, recorded speechmessages, pictures, videos, groupstuff, desktop app) it just works fine.

It doesn't do Video calls for one thing.

Signal has video calls
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