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

Anyone know why the Signal app isn't available on F-Droid? Isn't it supposed to be open source?

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

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.

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

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.

The founder of SimpleX is out of his mind. Check yourself: https://xcancel.com/epoberezkin

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.

It doesn’t look good indeed…

Sadly, that’s what we have to work with. The app is pretty good though

TIL the founder is a transphobic and conservative piece of shit

I use both and have been happy with both, but note that Element / Matrix have recently announced the intent to add paid service tiers.

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.

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.

Fair enough, servers cost, you can self host it too...

The problem is there's no one on signal that I want to talk to. So "just ditch the app" isn't actually helpful.

Just need to move everyone. Not that hard honestly, if you are around smart people

Remeber, If it's "free", you are the product.