My dear friends from the US.

Nizar Kerkeni 🇹🇳 نزار القرقني

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

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

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.