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.
Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption
111–120 of 367 posts
Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption
#112Honest 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...
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
#113Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption
#114The 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...
Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption
#115The 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...
Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption
#116Long-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.
Oh and it’s hosted outside the jurisdiction of 5-eyes!
Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption
#117I 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).
Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption
#118Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption
#119Re: Signal app downloads spike as US protesters seek message encryption
#120Earlier 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.