I got tired of asking my family to download yet another app. Went iPhone at this point.

I think it's by request. the fdroid team build every single app in their repos which means that they are not always fully up to date, so signal argues that whenever they need to push a security release people on froid would take forever to update.

I think I've had this issue with simplex. I've had to wait over 2 weeks for an update. That's why I'm using obtanium for it instead

Then let us know when they are solved. Until then, I have a lot more hope in matrix than XMPP. They at least seems to be making progress in the right direction, although they are not there yet either.

Signal remains the best option for now.

Compare with Zangi Private Messenger. Yes, every country who has jurisdiction has access. Just ask yourself, which gov do I trust more with my private chats?

Several XMPP clients look perfectly fine

I'm sure there are several I would consider fine for me.

I'm skeptical that they can be fine for someone who doesn't know what federation means, isn't especially upset that a handful of megacorporations control most human communication, and already finds the fact that I'm asking them to use anything different from what they're used to annoying. XMPP has more things for the end user to think about than Signal does even if a client is very polished.

How many apps did you ask them to download?

Personally, I only asked for this one, and everyone who is of importance to me chose to do it.

Don't ask me for a phone number and I'll use it.

Phone number is required for registration, after that you can move to a username. So you're being tracked.

Matrix and Element. Run your own server if you want or use a server that's not in the US.

When did WhatsApp start allowing signups without a phone number?

No clue. Never even tried to use it since it's a Meta product. I was referring to Signal's phone # requirement being a non-starter.

I was looking at Molly.im and it has its own f-droid repo. There are two options: with and without Google servicios.

That’s kind of a core tenet of libre/open software, innit? Independently verifiable software that you can change at your pleasure.

Can you though? Can I build the apk myself and use their services?

You can install and update it through Obtainium directly from GitHub.

Yes, you can use their exact build environment straight from GitHub. You can also use Molly.im which is another app that i think is a fork? Im still investigating it.

So what do you use now?

The irony of you posting this on lemmy, which won't allow posting from a VPN or masked email addresses is not lost on me.

The amount of hoops I had to jump through to make this comment and maintain some semblance of privacy is infuriating but at least it's not reddit I guess?

But do go on about your security standards...

Edit: BTW, you can set signal to hide your number completely. Combined with FOSS-based encryption keys on-device makes signal the only choice for trying to maintain freedom of expression globally.

Nothing will protect anyone from messaging with a snitch who knows how to screenshot though. Food for thought.. get to know your neighbors now.

I use Element.