The main differences between a regular chat and a secret chat in Telegram, from a security standpoint, are:

1. End-to-End Encryption
   • Regular Chat: Messages are encrypted client-server-server-client, meaning Telegram servers can technically access the content.
   • Secret Chat: Messages are end-to-end encrypted, so only you and the recipient can read them. Not even Telegram can decrypt them.

2. Cloud Storage
   • Regular Chat: Messages are stored in the cloud. You can access them from any device logged into your Telegram account.
   • Secret Chat: Messages are device-specific and not stored in the cloud. They can only be read on the devices where the secret chat was initiated.

3. Self-Destruct Timer
   • Regular Chat: No self-destruct functionality.
   • Secret Chat: You can set a self-destruct timer for messages after they’re read.

4. Forwarding
   • Regular Chat: Messages can be freely forwarded.
   • Secret Chat: Messages cannot be forwarded.

5. Screenshots
   • Regular Chat: Screenshots are not restricted or notified.
   • Secret Chat: Telegram tries to prevent or notify about screenshots (depends on the OS).

Summary:

Use secret chats if you need maximum privacy, as they’re more secure and don’t rely on Telegram’s servers to store message content. However, they’re less convenient because you lose cloud sync and multi-device support.

Did you get everyone to settle on the same thing, like Signal? We are spread out over about 8 countries, and with all the different phone numbers and plans, we use various methods, with several of us on Signal. Some on whatsapp, some on messenger. So we are not coordinated enough for a group chat. Which is fine, I dont really need to know everything all the time, we catch up when can, or get into small video chats occasionally. Luckily we do tend to physically see each other somewhat frequently.

I think it is more of a hill than a goalpost.

They are monthly not daily popups. They are daily at the start kust to make sure you memorize your PIN, then they peter off.

However if you ignore a monthly one then it doesn't disturb you until the next monthly reminder. What is the point of a PIN if it can be ignored?

Unfortunately the source code is not open

Wrong.

Open Source – Transparency Matters – Threema

The Threema apps are open source. Find out how to download and compile the source code, and learn more about reproducible builds.

Threema (threema.com)

no we are all on different platforms. half are on android and half are on apple which is irritating. so sadly the sms is our best tool to hit everyone at the same time with any urgency.

I don't believe in signal.

Well, just an anecdote:

I simply deleted my WhatsApp and moved to signal. Just did it.

People installed the app, at least the ones that cared about staying in touch. Which was most everyone I cared about staying in touch with. A few of my friend groups also moved the group chat to signal, though all of them do have other ones with the people who didn’t care enough to move too, but I hear it isn’t that big a deal, they had multiple groups before and will have in future, doesn’t really feel like any extra hassle they say.

It’s been fine. No problems. I’ve had more trouble trying to explain to my extended family why I’m no longer posting on instagram. Those I never had in WhatsApp either back in the day, so they “stayed in touch” by watching my pictures I suppose. But I just consistently tell people they can reach me always via signal or plain old sms.

I guess the biggest thing to be scared about would be fomo for most, but I don’t really care enough, I’ve got so much going on already that it’s more of a blessing that I don’t have to be involved in every conversation or meme sharing or whatever.

It really gets so easy after simply switching. Just do it and that’s that. The people worth anything come with you, it’s just another app and another group chat or personal chat. Most already have discord and the meta messenger whatever its name is these days anyway. I know zero people with only one messenger/chat app and unsplintered groups across them. It’s not a big chore, and if it is, there’s always sms.

I will switch to signal when I can avoid installing stuff on bunch of my devices. Until web version is available, sorry it hard for me to switch and for me to convince other people to switch.

I use it mostly for family chats, I got the extended family to use it rather than Facebook Messenger

What makes you not trust signal as against WhatsApp?

groups/channels?

Interesting phrasing. How so?

I was with them helping them out. For reasons I won't discuss here I won't be able to visit them anymore, so that avenue is gone .

I would like nothing more, but so few of my contact group are willing to switch away... despite all of Meta's bullshit. I resent being made to use it whilst their AI/ads encroach further and further.

so a centralized American messenger enshitified, lets switch to the next centralized American messenger, it surely will not enshitify in the future, lets ignore the actual problem, what could go wrong

My wishlist is an app which is not linked to a phone number, is multi platform and has a web app. It should be none US and open source. That isn’t too many requirements and yet nothing seems to full fit the bill? Anyway good luck trying to get school parent’s groups to use something other than WhatsApp.

Humans are too stupid to switch from convenience to slightly less convenience even if they get privacy for free. Any amount of discomfort is too much and changing an app is basically death.

Spam isn't a binary issue, where it either exists or doesn't. It could very well be the case that, without requiring a phone number, there'd be far more spam (since it'd be far easier to automatically create new accounts).

Again, do you have a better suggestion for spam & abuse prevention?

And still, aside from that - it doesn't really make sense to expect Signal to offer SMS integration just because it requires a phone number for spam prevention, when offering this integration would be detrimental towards the mission of Signal (offering secure messages).

They see no value in it. They don't see that privacy is proactive measure that can protect you.

On Facebook, especially in my family, accounts get lost and hacked. One fine day, it might be someone with more influence in the family who's attacker might make off with stolen bank information or passwords.

but "that'll never happen", right?

I believe in it,... for now.

I moved my family group to xmpp to have more personal control over our chats. Signal seems benevolent, but I've seen this play out before. Will it stay that way? We treat online forums with the idea that federstion works to stop enshittificstion. I believe XMPP is a good model for federating secure chatrooms for the same reason: People should control the voices of the people, not companies.