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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

#71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Signal app experience leaves a lot to be desired compared to Telegram or Matrix.

I was about to ask about this. Signal was comparatively annoying. Can I keep using Telegram or am I postponing the inevitable? Curious.

Is Telegram at all trustworthy?

I feel like I’ve repeatedly seen on HN that they’re not a good choice for secure messaging (though I don’t remember the specifics around it).

Signal and Matrix are the two options I’ve settled on.

[Edit]: Looks like the main issues with Telegram are that it doesn't use end to end encryption by default and that they rolled their own encryption protocol that's likely not secure. They also used to leak a ton of metadata, but from searching around it looks like they may have made improvements. Either way seems like something to avoid when there are obviously better alternatives.

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

#72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Signal app experience leaves a lot to be desired compared to Telegram or Matrix.

You get voice, video, chat, stickers, files. What more do you want?

my encrypted chats saved across multiple devices

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

#73
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

we are talking about security, and you brought up... MD5?

We’re talking about the forest, and you mention... one of the trees?

What a convenient analogy to cover someone's ignorance.

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

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was about to ask about this. Signal was comparatively annoying. Can I keep using Telegram or am I postponing the inevitable? Curious.

Is Telegram at all trustworthy? I feel like I’ve repeatedly seen on HN that they’re not a good choice for secure messaging (though I don’t remember the specifics around it). Signal and Matrix are the two options I’ve settled on. [Edit]: Looks like the main issues with Telegram are that it doesn't use end to end encryption by default and that they rolled their own encryption protocol that's likely not secure. They als…

Telegram is not E2E per default. They claim to not turn over data to authorities but I doubt that claim. Signal on the other hand is fully end to end encrypted.

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

#75

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

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

I convinced my parents because of full resolution images.

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

#76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Signal absolutely could do better in minimizing metadata by simply not requiring a phone number. Despite this obvious, huge, and dangerous shortcoming, I have never seen a single explanation of why Signal needs a phone number for signup.

That feature is coming and should be released shortly according to the team.

I remember reading that in 2014.

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

#77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Signal app experience leaves a lot to be desired compared to Telegram or Matrix.

I was about to ask about this. Signal was comparatively annoying. Can I keep using Telegram or am I postponing the inevitable? Curious.

I switched my friends from Telegram to Signal a few months ago and it’s been great. Probably depends on the features you use most frequently, but we switched as soon as message replies were added.

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

#78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was about to ask about this. Signal was comparatively annoying. Can I keep using Telegram or am I postponing the inevitable? Curious.

Is Telegram at all trustworthy? I feel like I’ve repeatedly seen on HN that they’re not a good choice for secure messaging (though I don’t remember the specifics around it). Signal and Matrix are the two options I’ve settled on. [Edit]: Looks like the main issues with Telegram are that it doesn't use end to end encryption by default and that they rolled their own encryption protocol that's likely not secure. They als…

Telegram only end-to-end encrypts "secret messages", which I assume are rarely used.

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

#79
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Signal app experience leaves a lot to be desired compared to Telegram or Matrix.

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's been a massive battery drain for me as I have no Google services. It's a known bug. You can't really turn off that drain either in favor of getting messages later.

https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/issues/6898

https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/issues/9194

Other apps like Threema or Telegram might delay messages sometimes, but at least they keep my device operational. If I'm punished for opting out of Google's spying, I at least want to choose the punishment.

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

#80

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

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

I would not trust any browser-based e2ee.
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