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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

#251

Post by lorenzhs »

fauigerzigerk wrote: post #191
lorenzhs wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When did you last try it? Startup speed of Signal-Desktop has been much improved in recent months, like, by an order of magnitude. Maybe give it another shot.

It opens pretty quickly for me, but almost every time it wants to be re-linked to a mobile device. Signal is really annoying with all the things it wants me to do. Re-linking a mobile device. Re-entering a PIN/password for no reason other than to prove that I still know the password. And when I'm finally logged in it shows me a completely useless selection of mostly obsolete contacts.

I think you need to open it at least every other month or so, otherwise it loses the pairing. I've never had to relink a desktop instance under any other circumstances.

You can turn off the PIN reminders in Settings → Privacy.

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

#252

Post by lordnacho »

hiq wrote: post #177
lordnacho wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Related question, is there an endorsement from a recognised expert? I'd have to live with that since I won't be getting an advanced degree in cryptography.

There are some there: https://www.signal.org/ tptacek regularly endorses Signal (compared with alternatives) on HN.

Heh, I'd never even looked at the website. The four people they have there seem good enough for me. At least Schneier, Green, and tptacek seem to be technical enough, and the others will have big enough need to have done the due diligence properly.

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

#254

Post by josefresco »

AnonC wrote: 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…

Step 1: Get a virtual phone number.

Step 2: Get Signal and register using virtual phone number.

Step 3: Protest!

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

#255

Post by josefresco »

LongHalloween wrote: post #217

Has anyone here successfully convinced their non-techie friends to switch to Signal? How have you done it? I've been trying on and off with my closest friends, but no luck.

I've convinced less than 3 clients to send me their sensitive credentials via Signal. I've instructed and asked dozens to use the service but most just use email.

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

#256

Post by vincentmarle »

jrochkind1 wrote: post #244
m12k wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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)

If the law enforcement is talking to you in the U.S., the only right answer is "I'd prefer to have a laywer here." Not a joke, for real. They are experts at getting you to talk to them even if you know this. They are experts at getting you to say things that incriminate you or your friends -- that you or your friends have done nothing wrong (in your opinion/as far as you know) will not protect you. The only answers y…

I’ve heard this before but here’s my practical problem: I don’t know any lawyers. I have literally no idea who to call in such a situation. Do I have to go find and retain a lawyer beforehand just in case I might need one later?

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

#257

Post by dastx »

WhompingWindows wrote: post #242
jwr wrote: post #168

What really hurts Signal are two things: * sub-par user experience: WhatsApp is just nicer and smoother, and people tend to like that * very few people understand that Signal DOES NOT get your full contact list, while Facebook (through WhatsApp) does Especially the second point is very relevant with the current situation — you do not necessarily want to expose your entire social graph to Facebook. But so few people u…

I don't think Signal is "really hurt" by WhatsApp being slightly smoother and nicer. Signal caters to those who put a premium on privacy, they are ready and willing to have a slightly less "nice and smooth" UX. Why does it "really hurt" Signal that are sub-group of the population is ignorant of its features? I doubt that's going to stop people from downloading a privacy app, most people don't care about privacy anywa…

> I don't think Signal is "really hurt" by WhatsApp being slightly smoother and nicer. Signal caters to those who put a premium on privacy, they are ready and willing to have a slightly less "nice and smooth" UX.

Having a slightly worse UX because that's just security considerations is one thing.

Having a slightly worse UX because reason that isn't related to security is another.

I've tried getting my wife onto signal, and while she's happy to try it out because I ask her to, she struggles to stay on it due to by day to day UX. I'm happy to deal with the issues, the general is not. And because they're not, I'm stuck with WhatsApp too.

If signal wants to have a shot at taking over WhatsApp and help with addressing the core issue at hand, specifically encryption between users, they need to address the UX. Sure if you can't address certain things because it weakens security fine, but if you're not addressing them because they think users won't mind because they're here for something else (i.e. security), it's gonna be a much harder sell, and it'll just stay a niche market.

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

#259

Post by nix23 »

cyphar wrote: post #212
m12k wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, it's optimized for communication between trusted parties (e.g. Snowden and a journalist) - as such the focus is on verifying the identity of the other person, not hiding it. It'd be cool if they figured out a group chat setting that was optimized for groups like protesters trying to coordinate - show your identity only to users you are directly connected with/have verified/whitelisted, but hide your identity to…

Except the whole point of OTR-like messaging was that you can communicate with someone who you can't be entirely sure you trust in perpetuity (that's why messages in Signal and similar systems don't have non-repudiation -- neither party can prove to a third party that a message really was sent by the other party). Now, obviously the metadata worry is separate to how the message cryptography is implemented but it does…

But with signal you can verify that person, its like the opposite of otr.

https://signal.org/blog/safety-number-updates/

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

#260

Post by 24gttghh »

jrochkind1 wrote: post #244
m12k wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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)

If the law enforcement is talking to you in the U.S., the only right answer is "I'd prefer to have a laywer here." Not a joke, for real. They are experts at getting you to talk to them even if you know this. They are experts at getting you to say things that incriminate you or your friends -- that you or your friends have done nothing wrong (in your opinion/as far as you know) will not protect you. The only answers y…

It's called the 5th amendment and it is 100% our right to remain silent.

"[...]nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself[...]

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