I'm curious what you think about the app Signal. It says that it's completely open source; if that's true, it's a pretty good start. Are there any cons that we should know about?
As far as I know the crypto has been pretty thoroughly peer-reviewed and there is source code available for the app + crypto implementation. If I recall it did associate my account with my phone number at sign-up.
I've seen Antifa fags using Signal and their middle and upper management tends to be pretty tech savvy as they are composed of mostly middle management from various tech companies.
I've been looking at Wire also because my understanding is that is another implementation of the same crypto used by Signal. Wire also DID NOT require a phone number when I signed up.
That said, you should assume that any Internet-based comms is not completely trustworthy. 1) Best way to defeat crypto is with a rubber hose. 2) It's entirely possible alphabet agencies have quantum tech that can defeat what is currently the best crypto available to private citizens. 3) Side-channel attacks abound.
Wire is excellent, but it was started by a small Swiss company and they didn't market their services well. It used to have bugs as well so they got rated low on the Jewgle Play store.
Signal I am not too keen on, and won't trust just yet.
I know how you feel, it's been pushed by mainstream-ish sources a bit too much for my taste. I just learned today about the open-source aspect of it, but I would like to hear insights from somebody who looked into it a bit more.
The main con of Signal is that it requires your phone number for registration. But so do WhatsApp and Telegram.
(post is archived)