Using Google Messages with RCS is the way. At least you get E2EE encryption.
Agreed that Google Messages + RCS is probably the most secure choice.
For me, I am attempting to strike a balance between security and privacy/activism. Specifically, I want to abstain from installing google stuff in the Owner profile.
I would love to someday find an SMS alternative that avoids google and is more secure than QKSMS (very wishful thinking on my part perhaps 😅).
zzz We exchange with activists and others using a messaging system called OLVID. It's ANSSI-audited and safe. No phone number is required for it to work, which is the minimum if you want to be private.
https://github.com/olvid-io/olvid-android
zzz Specifically, I want to abstain from installing google stuff in the Owner profile.
Same, but I need FCM and some apps that rely on Google Play Services being installed.
investigator No phone number is required for it to work, which is the minimum if you want to be private.
That's not true. Signal with a burner phone number or a number purchased anonymously over Tor with Monero is perfectly fine for privacy.
[deleted] On OLVID, there's no telephone number or central library, which removes a large area for attack.
[deleted] With your system you have to trust Tor and monero. That's 2 more trusted third parties.
investigator On OLVID, there's no telephone number or central library, which removes a large area for attack.
SimpleX and Briar exists.
investigator With your system you have to trust Tor and monero. That's 2 more trusted third parties.
Tor is trustless, and Monero is anonymous by default.
Guys, please, return to the original subject.
[deleted] I'm right on topic. In the original message, the gentleman wants to do away with SMS. OLVID is French, certified and audited by ANSSI, does not support SMS and removes the library. Not only does the application I recommend respect security, but unlike the others it reduces the attack surface. This is in line with the GrapheneOS project.
Facts and nothing but facts, please. Not things based on beliefs.
investigator I'd suggest you read the original post again. The OP is looking for a messenger with SMS support since majority of their communication will be in that format.
OLVID looks promising, the only problem I have with it is that it is proprietary and more or less government approved so for me it stands on par with WhatsApp or the like in terms of privacy.
Please don't pollute another thread to the point where it gets locked like the two previous threads. You can create another thread to talk about your messenger of choice.
[deleted] I'd suggest you read the original post again. The OP is looking for a messenger with SMS support since majority of their communication will be in that format.
I would like to echo @[deleted]'s comment here. Please make sure that this conversation remains on the topic of messaging apps which support SMS.
A broader discussion of messaging apps including any which do not support SMS is off-topic and should be discussed in a separate thread.
[deleted] https://github.com/olvid-io/olvid-android GrapheneOS is also audited by ANSSI, and yet you're using it? I'm not polluting anything here, I'm just giving my opinion, once again based on real facts.
investigator thank you, I stand corrected on the proprietary bit, that is a valuable information. Can one use it for sending SMS as per OP request? You should be able to answer that since I presume you already use it. Or do you have another suggestion?
[deleted] Shouldn't SMS be deleted?
[deleted] I was thinking of replacing it with the RCS or something similar.
[deleted] there is no doubt that SMS is an old an insecure technology, but it's also far reaching since it allows communication with any device featuring a sim card even without access to internet and as such it still makes sense using it in certain scenarios. Although wherever it can be replaced with a suitable security/privacy alternative, such alternative should be used.
Just use Google Messages with RCS enabled or any SMS messaging app from F-Droid that is well maintained and doesn't have hundreds of issues.
This can be marked as solved; there is nothing else to add.
