My dear friends from the US.

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

My dear friends from the US. On this inauguration day, you should take steps to protect your privacy and to make sure you can communicate safely with friends and people you care about going forward.

My advice: Make today your #SwitchToSignal day.

https://signal.org

(And to all the folks that want to reply saying that you should use something else for $REASONS, please start your own thread. This is a message from me to my followers, not a flamewar invitation.)

Nizar Kerkeni 🇹🇳 نزار القرقني

@jwildeboer Ironically, this is the same advice given a few years ago by a certain Elon...

@unixwitch

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@nizarus @unixwitch And it is also the preferred messenger solution for the European Commission. Not sure what your point here is?

Nizar Kerkeni 🇹🇳 نزار القرقني

@jwildeboer I think that one of the great dangers for privacy of the new administration is Elon, the same guy who gave the advice to switch to Signal...

@unixwitch

Simone Tranquilli

@jwildeboer https://matrix.org/ is a great alternative too and no need for phone number or email to create an account

Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:

@simotranquilli Since quite some time you also don't need a phone number to register with Signal. And Matrix serves a different purpose, IMHO.

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