Signal is objectively a far better choice than SMS or WhatsApp and all the options I’m aware of. I dunno what OP is angling at either.
The only easy to use E2E encrypted chats are centrally managed, eg: Signal - and even getting friends and family members to move to that is hard.
While a decentralized fully open source self-hosted solution would be great - that shits just not possible for 90% of people. Apps succeed or fail due to barrier of entry and ease of use, and the decentralized options typically have far less user-friendly apps, far fewer users, and often require tech know-how like choosing a federated server or even configuring your own online storage or server (egs: Matrix, Briar, StoneAge). Some bring up Session as another alternative while failing to realize it is also centralized if you want push notifications (which most users do).
Same, it’s fair to have means of communicating that you just don’t want to use - and I let that go both ways as is fair. But if both my boomer parents are ok on Signal (with some initial help with notifications) then it makes it a pretty weak argument when acquaintances much younger than them say ‘bro Signal is too hard, I uninstalled it’. For them I say ‘No worries: email, call or SMS me if you need me’.
@quokka
I know I’m going to regret asking this, but why not Signal?
Yes, I know it has the disadvantage of not being decentralised, and it’s not anonymous as a phone number is required.
However, for the *vast majority* of people, it is the simplest and easiest solution to gaining E2EE comms.
@Davriellelouna
Signal is objectively a far better choice than SMS or WhatsApp and all the options I’m aware of. I dunno what OP is angling at either.
The only easy to use E2E encrypted chats are centrally managed, eg: Signal - and even getting friends and family members to move to that is hard.
While a decentralized fully open source self-hosted solution would be great - that shits just not possible for 90% of people. Apps succeed or fail due to barrier of entry and ease of use, and the decentralized options typically have far less user-friendly apps, far fewer users, and often require tech know-how like choosing a federated server or even configuring your own online storage or server (egs: Matrix, Briar, StoneAge). Some bring up Session as another alternative while failing to realize it is also centralized if you want push notifications (which most users do).
@pulsewidth
Yeah! I hear you, especially regarding ‘onboarding’ often being a barrier. (Thankfully, Signal is bloody easy.)
My own attitude to family and friends is to say, “If ya wanna communicate with me, these are the acceptable options…”
If they don’t wish to use appropriate methods, that’s fine, but they can’t message me. Bugger 'em!
I encourage the use of Signal as a 'gateway drug"… I mean, “app,” and several people have subsequently added other private messaging apps as options.
Same, it’s fair to have means of communicating that you just don’t want to use - and I let that go both ways as is fair. But if both my boomer parents are ok on Signal (with some initial help with notifications) then it makes it a pretty weak argument when acquaintances much younger than them say ‘bro Signal is too hard, I uninstalled it’. For them I say ‘No worries: email, call or SMS me if you need me’.