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While you are correct, I just want to clarify that by that I was talking about people living as subjects of totalitarian regimes or in places where their lives

While you are correct, I just want to clarify that by that I was talking about people living as subjects of totalitarian regimes or in places where their lives may truly be on the line if what they say in private would ever get out. These individuals may not have the means or the option of paying for the service (either due to being blocked or by potentially exposing them selves to said regime if they would).

caeril 5y ago
This isn't really the primary issue with Signal, as the protocol is pretty well audited, tested, and cryptanalyzed. THE issue with Signal is using real phone numbers as identifiers. I know this point has been made repeatedly, but it's important to beat the drum, since it's recommended for journalists and dissidents, and that this "feature" will quite possibly get you killed if you're a dissident in a totalitarian system with a very simple two-part process: 1. All it takes is ONE of your fellow dissidents to turn snitch (or be tortured, or have their phone cracked) and disclose all their contacts. 2. Burners are NOT anonymous. Everything from location analysis to CCTV footage from the physical place you bought the SIM will give you away. Signal is an obvious honeypot. Moxie's total refusal to even allow the option to use throwaway identifiers while burning precious development time on silly things like emoji support makes their purpose very evident. Sure, use Signal to send cat pics. But stay far, far, far away if your life or freedom is at risk.
- MrDresden 5y ago
  I agree with you. But that doesn't change the fact that there are non technical people who are using Signal in places where they believe it will protect them. And I am not cynical enough to be ready to say that they are not being protected in some way by using Signal rather than say email/telegram/whatsapp/facebook etc. But the points you raise stand, and I agree. I would never use Signal for things that are highly sensitive. But we are tech literate individuals. We are a wast minority.

caeril 5y ago

This isn't really the primary issue with Signal, as the protocol is pretty well audited, tested, and cryptanalyzed. THE issue with Signal is using real phone numbers as identifiers. I know this point has been made repeatedly, but it's important to beat the drum, since it's recommended for journalists and dissidents, and that this "feature" will quite possibly get you killed if you're a dissident in a totalitarian system with a very simple two-part process: 1. All it takes is ONE of your fellow dissidents to turn snitch (or be tortured, or have their phone cracked) and disclose all their contacts. 2. Burners are NOT anonymous. Everything from location analysis to CCTV footage from the physical place you bought the SIM will give you away. Signal is an obvious honeypot. Moxie's total refusal to even allow the option to use throwaway identifiers while burning precious development time on silly things like emoji support makes their purpose very evident. Sure, use Signal to send cat pics. But stay far, far, far away if your life or freedom is at risk.

MrDresden 5y ago
I agree with you. But that doesn't change the fact that there are non technical people who are using Signal in places where they believe it will protect them. And I am not cynical enough to be ready to say that they are not being protected in some way by using Signal rather than say email/telegram/whatsapp/facebook etc. But the points you raise stand, and I agree. I would never use Signal for things that are highly sensitive. But we are tech literate individuals. We are a wast minority.