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Anyone in Iran that can comment on this? What are citizens there thinking about WhatsApp?

cess11 1y ago
I don't know but they have local alternatives, the iranians have a bridge protocol that federates several services: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message_Exchange_Bus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message_Exchange_Bus
- demarq 1y ago
  I’m guessing there’s no encryption?
  - cess11 1y ago
    If you want actual security, don't use a phone and run your own server, likely Matrix.
    - yuvalr1 1y ago
      Security strength is not a binary measure, there are many levels of security between "no encryption at all" to "run your own server".
      - cess11 1y ago
        Not really in the space we're discussing, i.e. usian and iranian everyday phone applications. Small private actors aren't going to pop the TLS on messages anyway, and the states involved have or can compromise the system as such.
    - MoonGhost 1y ago
      Or endnode in Tor. Not sure it's secure enough against US which operates it.
hexomancer 1y ago
Iranian here. Most Iranians use Telegram or Whatsapp, both of which are blocked right now and can only be used using VPNs (they have been blocked for years, though whatsapp was unblocked a few months ago, but it is blocked again after the Israel attack). I don't think many Iranians believe, or care about what the regime says, though there is a small minority of regime supporters that might, but they probably were not using whatsapp to begin with. Though I must say, the regime itself seems to really believe this, for example there was some news that high-ranking officials are now banned from using electronic devices that connect to the internet like mobile phones.
- dash2 1y ago
  Do you think it’s likely the regime will fall?
  - hexomancer 1y ago
    I have no idea but I sure hope so.
    - MoonGhost 1y ago
      Will this result in bloody civil war like in Iraq and minimal dysfunctional central government after?
      - hexomancer 1y ago
        What’s the alternative? Live under the delusional islamic theocratic dictatorship forever? If you think the islamic republic can be replaced through peaceful protests you have another thing coming, they have already killed thousands of protestors and they have no problem killing because they actually believe they are doing god’s work and the protestors are infidels that deserve to die. I take my chances for a probable dysfunctional government rather than a definitely dysfunctional one.
        exolymph 1y ago

I don't know but they have local alternatives, the iranians have a bridge protocol that federates several services: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message_Exchange_Bus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message_Exchange_Bus

demarq 1y ago
I’m guessing there’s no encryption?
- cess11 1y ago
  If you want actual security, don't use a phone and run your own server, likely Matrix.
  - yuvalr1 1y ago
    Security strength is not a binary measure, there are many levels of security between "no encryption at all" to "run your own server".
    - cess11 1y ago
      Not really in the space we're discussing, i.e. usian and iranian everyday phone applications. Small private actors aren't going to pop the TLS on messages anyway, and the states involved have or can compromise the system as such.
  - MoonGhost 1y ago
    Or endnode in Tor. Not sure it's secure enough against US which operates it.

hexomancer 1y ago

Iranian here. Most Iranians use Telegram or Whatsapp, both of which are blocked right now and can only be used using VPNs (they have been blocked for years, though whatsapp was unblocked a few months ago, but it is blocked again after the Israel attack). I don't think many Iranians believe, or care about what the regime says, though there is a small minority of regime supporters that might, but they probably were not using whatsapp to begin with. Though I must say, the regime itself seems to really believe this, for example there was some news that high-ranking officials are now banned from using electronic devices that connect to the internet like mobile phones.

dash2 1y ago
Do you think it’s likely the regime will fall?
- hexomancer 1y ago
  I have no idea but I sure hope so.
  - MoonGhost 1y ago
    Will this result in bloody civil war like in Iraq and minimal dysfunctional central government after?
    - hexomancer 1y ago
      What’s the alternative? Live under the delusional islamic theocratic dictatorship forever? If you think the islamic republic can be replaced through peaceful protests you have another thing coming, they have already killed thousands of protestors and they have no problem killing because they actually believe they are doing god’s work and the protestors are infidels that deserve to die. I take my chances for a probable dysfunctional government rather than a definitely dysfunctional one.
      - exolymph 1y ago