12mo ago

Chat Apps, Government Ties, and Transparency – Threema

threema.ch

Chat Apps, Government Ties, and Transparency

81 comments

I can't believe people are saying Telegram and Threema might be better than Signal. Signal isn't perfect but Telegram and Threema are worse.
- Because we keep saying Signal, Telegram, Threema instead of Anti-Libre Software, Service as a Software Substitute and Centralised.
- It really depends on your use case. Most of my simple chat messages are the same as I would have in any public space. I have no need for encryption, I have need for convenience in that regard. With Telegram I have my chat history on all devices and don't need to use my phone to connect which are two must-haves for me. For my use case, Signal is the worse option. That doesn't make Signal bad, just not suitable for me.
  As a privacy-concious person I am very much aware of the non-secure nature of my chats, but since that is not a factor of consideration to me when it comes to casual chats with a few friends and family members. The worst thing Telegram could do is analyse my chats and ... then what?
- Signal is not applicable when you need a public space for people to just have a discussion, like in discord. Signal clients are clunky and rely on cross sync from what I see, while telegram clients are well made and convenient to use. Even Whatsapp went away from electron so I'd choose it over signal any day.
  
  Have you tried Signal recently? On Android it's very well polished.
  In fact I believe it's a shame that not more people use such a beautiful app, regardless of privacy and security implications.
  
  I have no use for it for now and as long as it's still electron on desktop I don't want to have it running.
  
  Signal clients are clunky
  Obviously you have never used Element for matrix. Signal is like a Ferrari in comparison.
  
  Yeah I've never used matrix really.
  
  Matrix would work for that and would avoid proprietary software and sketchy companies
  
  Does it sync automatically between desktop and mobile? Can I share an image into it on mobile and have it a few seconds later on laptop?
  
  Yes, just keep in mind the encryption is flaky if you use a browser that clears browsing data. Best option is to use a client
  
  sketchy companies
  I would argue that the standard federation fragmentation issues still apply. Many instances end up defederating from each other and you have no idea which wind you're pissing into.
- Signal is much worse than Telegram (in terms of privacy)
  
  Please give several reasons why
  
  wtf, one would be fine
  
  it's a futurama joke
  
  sometimes my brain's just a can opener
  
  The Encryption algorithm of Signal is basically the same algorithms proposed by the US gov in 2000. There is no way they would release these encryption algorithms if they couldn't break them themsleves
  If you would see which organisations are supporting Signal (look at where Signal gets all the money), you would also agree with me. There is no way these organasations are supporting them for your privacy. Why would they? The same people who are trying their best to get all your data. Believing this is just pure naivity imo but call me what you want
  
  Please stop spreading FUD.
  The encryption used by Signal would not be used if it could be easily broken. It's fully open source and is regularly audited. People would not recommend it if it were so broken like you say; this is just fearmongering.
  lol, lmao even
  
  I'm not forcing you to believe anything. Also this is a free platform where I can say what I think. I won't hold myself back from expressing my view only because the majority has a different opinikn (looking at the downvotes). I personally just wouldn't trust it. And it also doesn't have any difference to Whatsapp and co. (encryprion algos are the same) which completely removes the purpose of it even existing (ik open source is still an argument. But they don't have reproducable builds so even that falls apart) so there really isn't any reason for me to switch to it or promote it to anybody at all.

81 comments