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> You can do whatever you want using Whatsapp (it has a proven solid e2e encryption), the key difference to Telegram is it requires a phone number to use which
by luckylion 6y ago
> You can do whatever you want using Whatsapp (it has a proven solid e2e encryption), the key difference to Telegram is it requires a phone number to use which instantly reveals your real identity to any snoop, snitch or government mole.
Both Telegram and WhatsApp required a phone number last I checked, but you can install Telegram on a Desktop using a dumb phone for activation, you don't need to run the app.
> If it were that easy to influence Whatsapp, India would not have a real problem with Whatsapp-mobilized lynching mobs.
India has no jurisdiction over WhatsApp. They can ask Facebook nicely, but that's about it.
To stop communication you don't need to read WhatsApp-chats. You just disable the accounts that you want silenced. And you can't do that if you don't have control over the service (hence Western extremists use of Telegram).
If you're Russian and you want to talk about how free yourself of Putin, use WhatsApp or Signal, that is: an American provider. If you're American (or living in an American province) and you want to talk about how to free yourself of Washington, you use Telegram (or a Chinese messenger). Even if none of them can ever read your chats, they can a) use the meta data and b) disable your ability to communicate.
This also applies if you're a common criminal: US cops will have a much easier time getting meta data on your communication from WhatsApp than from Telegram. It's generally a good idea to know your threat model. Unless you're a Russian Oligarch or Ex-FSB, the FSB is not your problem. But your local domestic intelligence service may be, if you ever step out of line.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- mrkstu 6y agoThe problem being, of course, that you can then potentially be blackmailed by the foreign intelligence agencies...
- luckylion 6y agoThat's true, yes, but I believe it only applies if you are a high-ranking official or work in a very sensitive position. Either of those are usually a good indicator that you're okay with "the system", are not a threat to it and your country's intelligence services won't go after you. I don't think the average citizen has to worry about the FSB finding their kinks and blackmailing them. You don't kidnap poor people's children for ransom, you don't blackmail people who have no special powers.
- maqp 6y ago> instantly reveals your real identity to any snoop, snitch or government mole. Yeah, WA isn't anonymous. The problem is with Telegram storing all your private messages on their cloud, by hacking the server, just knowing your username the state level attacker learns everything about you, metadata, and content, and because there's no forward secrecy, it will date back basically forever unless you're constantly deleting logs, and even then you can only hope Telegram also erases their backup tapes. >If you're American (or living in an American province) and you want to talk about how to free yourself of Washington, you use Telegram That's just stupid, why would you want less secure architecture to criticize Americans? NSA can trivially hack Telegram servers to see your criticism if they want. You want E2EE for your dissident group no matter what, thus Signal will always remain a better choice.
- sudosysgen 6y agoBy default, Telegram does store all your messages on their server, whose encryption cannot be trusted. By default, WhatsApp uploads all your messages to Google Cloud in clear.