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. Make today your #SwitchToSignal day.
(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.)
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 Ironically, this is the same advice given a few years ago by a certain Elon...
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.
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:
@nizarus @unixwitch But he doesn't own or influence Signal? I wouldn't stop using Signal just because Elon Musk said something about at sometime :)
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...
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.
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.
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:
@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 🇵🇷
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:
@cmthiede Good for me and my timeline ;)
CM Thiede
@jwildeboer I'm sure the number of those grow with every boost!
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!
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
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.
katlin
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?
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.
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.
Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:
@Nathan You want me to install some piece of software that supposedly tracks sone data because you don't believe what Signal has stated many times (and proven by what they give when subpoena'd)? What do I need to install for that?
See https://signal.org/bigbrother/central-california-grand-jury/ on what data Signal can produce. It's not much.
Nathan 🇵🇷
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?
Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:
@eldersea Sure, will work. As long as the number can receive the message with the one-time code, every number works. Signal needs "a" phone number for that. Not "your" or your devices number.
the elder sea
@jwildeboer good to know! It's been a long time since I've had to do this. Do you know if it's possible to switch your registration number to a cash prepaid sim?
Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:
@simotranquilli @eldersea @katlin Sure, Matrix also has its place. And I also use it. But not for the purposes I use Signal for. My thread was specifically about Signal. Please respect my wish to stay on topic and to not turn this into a "yes, but" flamewar. Thx!
Simone Tranquilli
@jwildeboer @eldersea @katlin what i mean is that with the Matrix protocol you have just to choose a server and a nickname. You can add an email for recovery reasons, but is not mandatory.
Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:
@simotranquilli @eldersea And I very specifically said in the original toot:
(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.)
Which you decided to ignore. Thanks, I guess?
Simone Tranquilli
@jwildeboer @eldersea @katlin@mastodon.socialI didn't want to start a flamewar. I just wanted to suggest another alternative to the mainstream IM, that's all ✌️
Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:
@simotranquilli @eldersea So I hope you can imagine how I have to deal with many more people saying that they just wanted to suggest an alternative ;)
Simone Tranquilli
@jwildeboer @eldersea ok, that's my last one: on 4 comments of mine, one was a sincere and friendly way to suggest an open alternative, other 3 have been to try gettingout of a not wanted "flamewar". fine, bye, peace and love.
the elder sea
@jwildeboer @simotranquilli
Sorry you're dealing with this, I guess everyone needs a primer in reading. :)
Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:
@eldersea @simotranquilli I'm a big guy with 30+ years of flamewar experience and a happy trigger finger when it comes to blocking ;)
Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:
@mistergibson@fe.disroot.org thank you for that and welcome to my blocklist.
G. Gibson
Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:
@edgren note that you can sign up with “a” phone number, not necessarily “your” phone number. The only thing needed is “a” phone number to receive the one time code to finalise the registration process.
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:
@Nathan On iOS I have the “app network activity” feature that shows this for Signal, which seems ok to me. No third party domains, no mixpanel AFAICS.
Nathan 🇵🇷
don't trust, verify.
Signal can say they don't store data, but how do you know the app not sending telemetry to Mixpanel, Functional Software or Google?
don't trust, verify.
App tracking protection should be used by everyone, do you know who owns Mixpanel? Who else is tracking you?
Jan Wildeboer 😷:krulorange:
@Nathan For an explanation on the few contacts to mask.iCloud.com see https://www.reddit.com/r/pihole/comments/1avojcq/maskicloudcom_and_my_iphone/
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