The reality is that while Signal is less than perfect, it's probably the best out of all popular options. The main complaint about Signal is it requires a phone number. If you're concerned about that, either don't use Signal or use an anonymous phone number to sign up (burner phone, anonymous SIM, anonymous VOIP).Signal - isn't high-privacy, high-security IM.
I have no reason to doubt that WhatsApp is more secure than other popular messaging systems that use little to no encryption. I likewise have no reason to believe that WhatsApp's implementation of E2EE is as good as other services that focus more on security and privacy. Do you see the difference?How do you know that WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted? Is its source code open? No.
And it belongs to the corporation that's up for anything but users' privacy.
Just want add one thing about whatsapp.The reality is that while Signal is less than perfect, it's probably the best out of all popular options. The main complaint about Signal is it requires a phone number. If you're concerned about that, either don't use Signal or use an anonymous phone number to sign up (burner phone, anonymous SIM, anonymous VOIP).
You can limit yourself to Briar and Session all you want, but odds are you'll be quite lonely there if ever want to talk to people outside of a specific niche.
I have no reason to doubt that WhatsApp is more secure than other popular messaging systems that use little to no encryption. I likewise have no reason to believe that WhatsApp's implementation of E2EE is as good as other services that focus more on security and privacy. Do you see the difference?
Law enforcements face both success and failure with getting data out of WhatsApp, whereas the success rate is 100% for unsecured messaging systems. But it might be zero with your preferred apps.
Security and privacy aren't binary. They are spectrums.
All it takes to break the best encryption in the world is a convincing threat of violence at the right person.
You've not replied to my actual point. You've diverted. "Yeah, it's not perfect, you know.... but! it's better nonetheless".The reality is that while Signal is less than perfect, it's probably the best out of all popular options. The main complaint about Signal is it requires a phone number. If you're concerned about that, either don't use Signal or use an anonymous phone number to sign up (burner phone, anonymous SIM, anonymous VOIP).
You can limit yourself to Briar and Session all you want, but odds are you'll be quite lonely there if ever want to talk to people outside of a specific niche.
"You" have no reason?I have no reason to doubt that WhatsApp is more secure than other popular messaging systems that use little to no encryption. I likewise have no reason to believe that WhatsApp's implementation of E2EE is as good as other services that focus more on security and privacy. Do you see the difference?
Law enforcements face both success and failure with getting data out of WhatsApp, whereas the success rate is 100% for unsecured messaging systems. But it might be zero with your preferred apps.
Security and privacy aren't binary. They are spectrums.
All it takes to break the best encryption in the world is a convincing threat of violence at the right person.
Your points are valid but in no way go against my point, that privacy and security are spectrums not absolutes.This reason among (many) others is a reason I strongly discourage whatsapp.
There wasn't much to reply to. If you want to expand on your point, I'd be happy to hear it.You've not replied to my actual point. You've diverted. "Yeah, it's not perfect, you know.... but! it's better nonetheless".
Of course not. You can't know for sure with any service that's centralized.But this still may not confirm that Whatsapp in reality uses end-to-end encryption.
I use ivpn and am very happy with them (they also accept monero and seem to host most of their servers themselves instead of having this done by M247 which is a British company that owns ~70% of all the VPN infrastructure).PS Can anyone recommend an affordable VPN?
How have you been able to assess this?Telegram or better Signal is 100% fine if you are not involved in anything illegal
I think it really depends on WHY you want to stay hidden. If you're a Mafia boss, terrorist, drugs dealer or mass murderer, then they'll eventually track you down when you make a small mistake.
On the other hand, I seem to be getting more paranoid as I get older and see how our privacy is being eroded, so I rather like playing with these toys.
I had great fun with a GPS emulator that fools my phone GPS and can put me wherever I like, so Google maps says that I'm in the Sahara desert etc. . But it's not for serious use. My phone sim will still place me at a location!
I thought about downloading Signal, but in all honesty, my Whatsapp conversations are the most boring you can imagine and I don't worry about it. Perhaps I worry more about all the things I've written on Facebook over the years!! That could come back one day!
PS Can anyone recommend an affordable VPN? When I retire, there will be times when I travel but want my emails and apps to show me back home.
It is most often used for sexting, unfortunately it is a bit unstable.I also use and app called KIK,
It is most often used for sexting, unfortunately it is a bit unstable.