UK government demands Apple backdoor to encrypted cloud data: report | TechCrunch
techcrunch.com
Apple is likely to stop providing its encrypted cloud service to U.K. users

I currently use Telegram for my friends and family, but have reluctantly come to the conclusion that the UK Government is either reaching agreement for backdoors with messaging services, or is trying its hardest to.

I’m also on Element/Matrix. Before I try to get my contacts to join me on there, should I be aware of any privacy issues or is that a good place to head?

  • fangleone2526@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9·
    5 hours ago

    Signal requires a phone number on setup.

    Also, matrix has bridges, which alone make it worthwhile for me. They, of course, don’t help privacy, but they are so so nice for convenience.

    Matrix is definitely slow though, and a grand majority of the clients are heavy terrible buggy electron apps. There are a few good ones ( nheko and the new beeper clients ), but even they have some rough edges.

    I still use matrix all the time and love it.

    If max privacy was the goal I think simplex looks wonderful. No required info for sign up, no way for them to possibly collect any metadata ( because there are no identifiers sent over internet for anyone at all ), E2EE, and decentralized.

    • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
      7·
      4 hours ago

      Signal requires a phone number on setup.

      It is dumb and annoying and inconvenient but doesn’t affect its use or privacy.

      I do agree that SimpleX seems like the best chat option.

        • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
          2·
          57 minutes ago

          How do you even exist without a phone number. How do you get cellular data? Does the government not require you to have one? Your employer? What about all the services that require one?

        • Telorand@reddthat.comEnglish
          1·
          1 hour ago

          I have to wonder if you could use a burner number and just disable it after setting up your username

          • mipadaitu@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            38 minutes ago

            I think you’d have a theoretical issue if the next person who got that number also tried to set up a signal account.

    • mac@lemm.eeEnglish
      5·
      4 hours ago

      Sure but it allows VOIP numbers. I’m using a jmp.chat number with it just fine.

        • mac@lemm.eeEnglish
          3·
          3 hours ago

          I got an initial verification code and haven’t heard from signal since. Signal doesn’t support totp or SMS 2fa. But has a pin code set along with your password. A new device that is added doesn’t have access to old messages unless you have the correct seed key iirc

      • fangleone2526@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        3 hours ago

        You can choose to share a username instead of a phone number, but they still require the phone number at setup iirc.

        • Optional@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          2 hours ago

          You’re right. Only for setup though, which is something I guess.

          How to Use Signal WhatsApp Without Phone Number?

          As mentioned above, a valid phone number that can receive calls and text messages is required to create and verify your Signal Account.

          Since, your mobile device does not have a phone number or you do not want to use your phone number, you can use a Landline Phone Number or a Virtual Phone Number as provided by TextNow, Google Voice and others to verify your Signal Account.

          Once the account verification process is completed, you will be able to use Signal on your mobile device, regardless of whether or not it has a phone number or SIM card installed on it.