sandfish786

if you concerned about phone number and want a private secure foss msgr product https://simplex.chat is your solution.

-uses signal protocol
-encrypted backups that can be exported and imported.
-zero phone number requirements
-security audited Nov 2022, July 2024, January 2025
-hidden profiles with separate passphrase
-multiple profiles, multi incognito profiles (per contact even)
-uni-directional msg relay routing
-random relay servers
-socks / tor routing possible
-desktop may have diffrent profiles, link up mobile device (docking), mobile device profile overlays desktop (like laptop docking into workstation); once undock, desktop profile reappears
-recent investment by Jack Dorsey, among others
-Global Village VC seed round

https://simplex.chat

    Using matrix self hosted with wireguard vpn. Signal as a backup.

    [deleted] Briar has a very annoying "feature" that reveal your last IPs and BT address to all of your contacts so your device will never be so anonymous

      SpiderUser
      A private messenger is only considered "good" when it has high adoption and user base, which will also
      lead to broader peer reviews and community help to resolve issues.
      No matter how "private decentralized quantum resistant _insert_gimmick_here" a new project will be, if
      nobody is using it, and you would have to convince all your contacts to have it just for you, has no formal
      reviews etc...No matter how good is it on paper and how good the team behind it.
      When Signal (or what it is now) started, it was a small hobby project by a single person, it had many issues,
      many crashes, was separated in 2 apps called RedPhone and TextSecure. I was one of the early adopters
      but it really took time, patience and effort. Had terrible quality and frequent drops as well.
      What I want to say if you have something proven, working, and battle tested, no need to jump on new shiny
      stuff first, let it get some adoption and then decide.

        My close family and I all use SimpleX. My close friends have switched to Signal mostly because of me. I use Molly personally.

        SpiderUser GUI too much elementary and chaotic, the whole project received last update on February!

          [deleted] They accept VoIP numbers, so yeah, I guess. And you don't have to share your phone number with any of your contacts, since they have user names.

            Welcome to the unofficial GrapheneOS SimpleX group. Join us to discuss our favorite private and secure mobile operating system!

            Use the following link to join the group GrapheneOS (unofficial): https://simplex.chat/contact#/?v=1-4&smp=smp%3A%2F%2Fhpq7_4gGJiilmz5Rf-CswuU5kZGkm_zOIooSw6yALRg%3D%40smp5.simplex.im%2F0MEV-ohQ4BH34753-02ilVD9TUoc6PIP%23%2F%3Fv%3D1-2%26dh%3DMCowBQYDK2VuAyEAhpoGv3YSJbSGuf2F7wsCMjjpPcLFkYvyvl6KQ0Ogxgg%253D%26srv%3Djjbyvoemxysm7qxap7m5d5m35jzv5qq6gnlv7s4rsn7tdwwmuqciwpid.onion&data=%7B%22type%22%3A%22group%22%2C%22groupLinkId%22%3A%22vuxRrSmp2NT_Fcp6uWVmUQ%3D%3D%22%7D

            Official community spaces for GrapheneOS are listed on the website: https://grapheneos.org/contact#community

            Please keep discussion on topic, including: GrapheneOS, Android apps and services, privacy, and mobile security.

            Although this is an unofficial group, we will still follow the GrapheneOS Code of Conduct found here: https://grapheneos.org/code-of-conduct

            I don't think there is a best. There are many good options, signal, telegram when used with e2ee chats, are not set up by default. Groups in telegram are not e2ee. Session has a good concept, but message delivery is not reliable. They are making improvements to the infrastructure. However, the big problem is, how many of your contacts use it? I have most on telegram, followed by whatsapp, and some are on signal. I have couple of people I can communicate with on session, but it's just not worth it. I also use protonmail with a few people that also have protonmail and we communicate that way, because those mails are e2ee.

            sandfish786 i dont think signal is more difficult for eldery to use than whatsapp at all.

              kebab_definite signal is good, just the phone number requirement sucks. but still seems best compromise of all

                I don't know about best.. I like and use Threema. Signal is legit, but I will be damned if I am solving Google Captcha for them. Telegram is fun, but hardly private (it could be, but more as an afterthought).

                Doesn't matter what I want to use, because nobody I really to cash be bothered to install a different app than their default iMessage to text. So, I'm stuck with QSMS and default GOS messenger. I use Session with my child, but they use an iPod and for some reason GOS hasn't been sending my notifications when they send me a message. Sucks.

                • yore replied to this.

                  grapheine You don't have to ask everyone to switch messengers. I only ask close friends or relatives to install Signal if I feel the need. I also avoid framing it as "switching" and say to them they're free to uninstall it later if they wish.

                  This reduces the mental load on them and on you, and your threat model would help you identify who to communicate with on a private messenger and who it is OK to talk with on a non-private messenger.

                  In any case, you're using a private OS which already makes a big difference.