evacideFeb 20, 2024

Signal has finally introduced usernames so you can use it without giving out your phone number. This is the number one feature I have seen prevent people from using Signal for many years and I’m happy it’s here!

https://signal.org/blog/phone-number-privacy-usernames/

Keep your phone number private with Signal usernames

Signal’s mission and sole focus is private communication. For years, Signal has kept your messages private, your profile information (like your name and profile photo) private, your contacts private, and your groups private – among much else. Now we’re taking that one step further, by making your...

Signal Messenger
Show threadKevin Karhan 

@evacide NO, YOU CANNOT USE @[email protected] WITHOUT A PHONE NUMBER!!! *

They still require a phone number as they still do restrict the functionality of their App based off the phone number given!

Also we've all seen that #centralized, #SingleVendor & #SingleProvider solutions are inherently bad - so why should anyone use #Signal over #XMPP+#OMEMO or XMPP+#PGP/MIME ???

#Signal, like every provider in the #USA, is subject to #CloudAct ** and will obviously hand over the #metadata they collected without legitimate interest if told to do so. ***

After all, clients like @monocles ' #monoclesChat **** make XMPP w/ OMEMO and PGP/MIME extremely user-friendly...

Im many juristictions, you cannot legally obtain an anonymous prepaid SIM legally! *****


- - -

Sources:

* https://social.tchncs.de/@kuketzblog/111968247576555678

** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CLOUD_Act

*** https://web.archive.org/web/20220112020000/https://twitter.com/thegrugq/status/1085614812581715968

**** https://f-droid.org/en/packages/de.monocles.chat/

*****
https://infosec.space/@kkarhan/111968383793566135

Mike Kuketz 🛡 (@[email protected])

In der neuen Beta von Signal können jetzt Benutzernamen verwendet werden. Die Telefonnummer (als interner Identifier) wird dadurch allerdings nicht abgelöst. Bedeutet: Auch in Zukunft ist die Telefonnummer für die Nutzung von Signal erforderlich. Man muss diese nur nicht mehr jedem Chat-Teilnehmer verraten. 👇 https://signal.org/blog/phone-number-privacy-usernames/ #signal #messenger #telefonnummer #benutzername #datenschutz #privatsphare

Mastodon
Feb 21, 2024 at 7:18amWeb
Show threadSTP_KITTMar 6, 2024
@kkarhan @evacide @monocles All true. If only XMPP could do private groups well enough to be practicable.
Show threadKevin Karhan Mar 7, 2024

@STP_KITT @evacide @monocles TBH, I think for group conversations there are better options.

If you want a public chat, #IRC is good.

If you want a closed chat solely for your organization, @zulip / #Zulip is likely your best option.

That being said that is a valid argument and sadly neither #monocles nor @gajim / #Gajim can properly encrypt group chats with #PGP/MIME nor #OMEMO as this constellation is completely unspecified in #XMPP.

But for individiuals, it's a way better option regardless...

Show threadmonoclesMar 7, 2024
@STP_KITT @kkarhan @evacide On monocles chat it's also working good. Maybe it's still a problem with iOS?
Show threadhyakinthosMay 17, 2024

@monocles
Is monocles problematic on iOS? I’ve pushed some people onto XMPP for secure comms, which for low-tech users implies #Snikket. But Snikket is a bit of a disaster on iOS (some iOS users do no get notifications, and some can’t even read the msgs). So I’m looking for a Snikket alternative for iOS users.

#askFedi
@STP_KITT @kkarhan @evacide

Show threadCoach Pāṇini ®Apr 10, 2024
@kkarhan @evacide @monocles
How does the Beeper app service (acquired by Automattic) compare here?
Show threadhyakinthosMay 17, 2024

@kkarhan Spot on.

Btw, #Signal’s long list of problems is collected here: https://github.com/privacytools/privacytools.io/issues/779

❌ Software Removal | Signal · Issue #779 · privacytools/privacytools.io

Problem with Signal Signal has copious privacy issues making it unfit for privacytools.io endorsement. Users are forced to supply a phone number to Signal (https://github.com/privacytoolsIO/privacy...

GitHub
Show threadKirstyMar 6, 2025

@kkarhan
Signal App also uses that phone number to create the account, via sms (as of last week).
There is no need to display the phone number or have it searchable though. It can all be done on account name.

@evacide @monocles