4 ms·

Shit. Just as I convinced all my family and friends to move out from whatsapp and I uninstalled the stupid green app. What do we get to do now?

Lev1a 6y ago
Can't the user just ignore this cryptocurrency BS if they (like myself) have no intention of using it?
- Saris 6y ago
  You can for sure. But it seems like a waste of resources by Signal, they could be making the chat part of the app better instead.
- gruez 6y ago
  You can, it's just that having the cryptocurrency in the first place leaves a bad taste in some people's mouths.
  - lameiam 6y ago
    don't lick your phone then, seriously, if you don't like a feature, do use it. Done.
    - 2pEXgD0fZ5cF 6y ago
      The problem is that these features need to be worked on, they require attention and the implementation sends a (strong) message. It's not just the fact that it exists that leaves the bad taste, it's the fact the decision was made, what that implies about the mentality/goals of the people making such a decision and that it will from that point on hog resources. And those aspects won't go away by not using it.
- marcinzm 6y ago
  I feel the biggest concern is about focus shift for Signal since doing one shady thing usually means other shady things will be done. You can ignore it for now but how much will they push it over time to make it harder and harder to ignore? Will grandma accidentally buy tokens due to some dark pattern UI and then call you about it? Will you get constant messages from scammers trying to get you to send them tokens? This might not happen but I feel it is a valid concern for a platform you wish to stay on longer term. edit: And since the CEO of the token company has said he wishes to make future monetary donations to Signal they have an incentive for making the token do well.
- unionpivo 6y ago
  Problem is that with the cryptocurrencies, it opens the app to whole new financial legal frameworks and agencies. Not to mention that with the number of scams with cryptocurrencies It's not inconceivable that either Apple or Google will eventually ban them from App store (apps using cryptos)
XorNot 6y ago
This isn't a privacy breach at this point though. It's just questionable. The security model of Signal doesn't require us to trust the servers (in theory - in practice, well, you've got the app chain and non-reproducible builds and distribution).
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
- hnarn 6y ago
  I don't mean to sound pessimistic but "Security in theory" isn't really secure, is it? I still have way more trust for Signal than I have for say Messenger or Telegram, but I've been burned too many times to take these things at face value.
romseb 6y ago
If you are looking for e2e encryption, it all depends on which features you need (like voice messages) and how good usability and UX needs to be for your family and friends to adopt the new tool. Some candidates are * GNU Jami: https://jami.net/ https://jami.net/ * Matrix with Element: https://element.io/ https://element.io/
- bilal4hmed 6y ago
  second the recommendation for Element. At least you can rehost it on your own.
- qqii 6y ago
  Jami has it's own tradeoff as you'll be revealing your IP in a DHT.
fsflover 6y ago
Check the other apps in the HN poll: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25669864 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25669864. I recommend Matrix.
tim333 6y ago
I realize everyone here seems to hate it but couldn't you just keep messaging and ignore the availability of a payment system?
- enriquto 6y ago
  No. This is an unacceptable shit move. No way I can keep using signal with a clear conscience. Now I am ashamed to swallow again all the shit that I supported from my colleagues who said that in a few weeks I would be asking them to switch to a less-evil place than signal. And here we are.

Lev1a 6y ago

Can't the user just ignore this cryptocurrency BS if they (like myself) have no intention of using it?

Saris 6y ago
You can for sure. But it seems like a waste of resources by Signal, they could be making the chat part of the app better instead.
gruez 6y ago
You can, it's just that having the cryptocurrency in the first place leaves a bad taste in some people's mouths.
- lameiam 6y ago
  don't lick your phone then, seriously, if you don't like a feature, do use it. Done.
  - 2pEXgD0fZ5cF 6y ago
    The problem is that these features need to be worked on, they require attention and the implementation sends a (strong) message. It's not just the fact that it exists that leaves the bad taste, it's the fact the decision was made, what that implies about the mentality/goals of the people making such a decision and that it will from that point on hog resources. And those aspects won't go away by not using it.
marcinzm 6y ago
I feel the biggest concern is about focus shift for Signal since doing one shady thing usually means other shady things will be done. You can ignore it for now but how much will they push it over time to make it harder and harder to ignore? Will grandma accidentally buy tokens due to some dark pattern UI and then call you about it? Will you get constant messages from scammers trying to get you to send them tokens? This might not happen but I feel it is a valid concern for a platform you wish to stay on longer term. edit: And since the CEO of the token company has said he wishes to make future monetary donations to Signal they have an incentive for making the token do well.
unionpivo 6y ago
Problem is that with the cryptocurrencies, it opens the app to whole new financial legal frameworks and agencies. Not to mention that with the number of scams with cryptocurrencies It's not inconceivable that either Apple or Google will eventually ban them from App store (apps using cryptos)

XorNot 6y ago

This isn't a privacy breach at this point though. It's just questionable. The security model of Signal doesn't require us to trust the servers (in theory - in practice, well, you've got the app chain and non-reproducible builds and distribution).

deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
hnarn 6y ago
I don't mean to sound pessimistic but "Security in theory" isn't really secure, is it? I still have way more trust for Signal than I have for say Messenger or Telegram, but I've been burned too many times to take these things at face value.

romseb 6y ago

If you are looking for e2e encryption, it all depends on which features you need (like voice messages) and how good usability and UX needs to be for your family and friends to adopt the new tool. Some candidates are * GNU Jami: https://jami.net/ https://jami.net/ * Matrix with Element: https://element.io/ https://element.io/

bilal4hmed 6y ago
second the recommendation for Element. At least you can rehost it on your own.
qqii 6y ago
Jami has it's own tradeoff as you'll be revealing your IP in a DHT.

fsflover 6y ago

Check the other apps in the HN poll: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25669864 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25669864. I recommend Matrix.

tim333 6y ago

I realize everyone here seems to hate it but couldn't you just keep messaging and ignore the availability of a payment system?

enriquto 6y ago
No. This is an unacceptable shit move. No way I can keep using signal with a clear conscience. Now I am ashamed to swallow again all the shit that I supported from my colleagues who said that in a few weeks I would be asking them to switch to a less-evil place than signal. And here we are.