My dear friends from the US.

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@nizarus @unixwitch But he doesn't own or influence Signal? I wouldn't stop using Signal just because Elon Musk said something about it at some time

Fluchtkapsel

@jwildeboer As much as I share your sentiment AFAIK the Signal Foundation does depend on funding by the US government or some agencies. While I believe they won't use this to compromise the service they could still damage it by withholding funding.

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

And, as expected, the replies are in the "yes, but" or "Don't" buckets. Thanks, y'all, for really respecting what I kindly asked for.

Stargeezer Smith

@jwildeboer
I'm a bit out of touch. What is signal suggested to replace? Email, or text messaging like Google voice, or what?

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@stargazersmith It can replace WhatsApp, FaceTime or just plain SMS. It adds groups chats/calls to that. And everything in secure, end to end encrypted ways, would be my TL;DR.

Nathan

@jwildeboer

signal is asking for a telephone number on install, how is this secure if it's linked to my/your ID, credit card and cell carrier?

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@Nathan I am on Signal since many years, so I am not familiar with the current onboarding process. I registered with a prepaid SIM and a phone number I have never used afterwards. Nowadays I use the new username feature, so my phone number is not visible nor used (and even if — it hasn't been sued by me for 8+ years)

Nathan

@jwildeboer

thanks Jan,

I'm interested in seeing what duckduckgo app tracking protection reports about signal's tracking attempts. Since I don't want to give my info to them would you be willing to share that report from your install?

G. Gibson

@jwildeboer I recommend Element instead

Airikr :sweden: :endeavourOS:

@jwildeboer Just be aware that signing up with your phone number is not included in "protect your privacy" But yes, Signal is a good alternative. XMPP is a better alternative, though. Decentralisation is key these days.

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

I think I will simply block everyone that replied with “use this instead” as they are obviously ignoring my kind appeal to specifically NOT do exactly that but instead start a new thread. If you cannot keep your sea-lioning under control, you don't get to waste my time and energy. My timeline, my decision. Have a nice day!

katlin

@jwildeboer @simotranquilli

I heard that you can use a username on Signal instead of your number to get in contact with other people, but I've not heard anything about registering without a number. Can anyone here confirm that this is possible, or has anyone already registered without a number?

CM Thiede

@jwildeboer I'm sure the number of those grow with every boost!

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@cmthiede Good for me and my timeline

the elder sea

@katlin @jwildeboer @simotranquilli it's effectively not possible at this point. A phone number is required. I read an article where someone did it by finding a pay phone that accepts incoming calls, and it did work, but this is such a fringe case it's only proving it's technically possible. Usernames are great for not sharing your number, but signal is still tied to a phone number.

katlin

@eldersea @jwildeboer @simotranquilli

Thanks for the answer, that's what I originally thought, but then I read from the OP in the above thread that it was possible and wondered if I had missed something, since I haven't been keeping up with all the latest changes.

the elder sea

@katlin @jwildeboer @simotranquilli it may be possible to buy a prepaid sim card with cash, register with that, set up a username, and go from there. I don't know if signal knows if you swap sim cards, or just the number you registered with. It seems like that may be the best way to go? Just get a ten dollar card and go from there? Probably worth a shot if you're not on signal already.

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@eldersea @katlin @simotranquilli The only thing that the phone number is needed for is to send an SMS with a one time code to finish the registration process. It can be any number that can receive messages and definitely doesn't even have to be the number of the device you install Signal on. Once registered, the number is no longer needed, except for recovery when Signal was installed on a single device only. 1/2

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@eldersea @katlin @simotranquilli I have several devices (with different phone numbers) using the same signal account since many years. When I get a new replacement phone, I install Signal and verify it via the app on another device. No number needed. The number I used many years ago to register still exists but has not been used in any of my devices for at least 6 years now. 2/2

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@eldersea You can also use a (free) virtual number, depending on which country you live in (these are not available everywhere). Again, the only thing it is needed for is to receive the one time code to finalise the registration process. And that is also the only information Signal can produce when subpoenaed. When they send that code. That's it.