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> Signal doesn’t allow third parties to build the source No. Signal is GPLv3. They don't allow third parties to distribute modified binaries that connect to t

by mastax 9y ago

> Signal doesn’t allow third parties to build the source No. Signal is GPLv3. They don't allow third parties to distribute modified binaries that connect to their servers. You can argue if that is a good idea, but don't misrepresent the situation.

ShabbosGoy 9y ago
The only way I can get a Signal binary is through OWS. Why should I trust them? The whole spirit of GPL and FOSS is to be able to examine the source, modify it, and distribute it freely. It’s a form of DRM to restrict who can and cannot distribute the Signal binary.
exikyut 9y ago
That's... that's really weird. I definitely argue that it's not a good idea, and I'd also argue it puts quite a few nails in the coffin in terms of my trusting it as a good protocol. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but IMO the fact that Facebook "trust" it means that I have a lot of reserve about using it myself.
- viraptor 9y ago
  It's not that weird from their point of view. "I was using Signal, but my messages were intercepted anyway" - "But were you using original Signal, or a third-party build with ads and malware?" (if that's the rule anyway - I couldn't find confirmation for that)
  - StudentStuff 9y ago
    Additionally, you end up with crap like Noise (a Signal fork that uses the main servers) where features inconsistently work or are available and the devs of Noise don't actually pull down new code very often, resulting in a two tiered network that has many unreliably working features. Hence why Moxie doesn't think federation is practical with an evolving communications protocol.
    - exikyut 9y ago
      Good point. This is really hard :/
ComputerGuru 9y ago
Ok so they can build them but they can’t use them. I think the OP’s hyperbole might be excused.
- StudentStuff 9y ago
  You say that, but Noise and Signal-CLI work just fine. Not that either actually keeps current with features, which is mainly why Moxie has stated he doesn't like people using unmaintained forks of Signal on OWS's servers.

by mastax 9y ago

ShabbosGoy 9y ago

The only way I can get a Signal binary is through OWS. Why should I trust them? The whole spirit of GPL and FOSS is to be able to examine the source, modify it, and distribute it freely. It’s a form of DRM to restrict who can and cannot distribute the Signal binary.

exikyut 9y ago

That's... that's really weird. I definitely argue that it's not a good idea, and I'd also argue it puts quite a few nails in the coffin in terms of my trusting it as a good protocol. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but IMO the fact that Facebook "trust" it means that I have a lot of reserve about using it myself.

viraptor 9y ago
It's not that weird from their point of view. "I was using Signal, but my messages were intercepted anyway" - "But were you using original Signal, or a third-party build with ads and malware?" (if that's the rule anyway - I couldn't find confirmation for that)
- StudentStuff 9y ago
  Additionally, you end up with crap like Noise (a Signal fork that uses the main servers) where features inconsistently work or are available and the devs of Noise don't actually pull down new code very often, resulting in a two tiered network that has many unreliably working features. Hence why Moxie doesn't think federation is practical with an evolving communications protocol.
  - exikyut 9y ago
    Good point. This is really hard :/

ComputerGuru 9y ago

Ok so they can build them but they can’t use them. I think the OP’s hyperbole might be excused.

StudentStuff 9y ago
You say that, but Noise and Signal-CLI work just fine. Not that either actually keeps current with features, which is mainly why Moxie has stated he doesn't like people using unmaintained forks of Signal on OWS's servers.