If your threat model involves concerns that Hilldawg level people are interested in you then you shouldn't be using email at all. The highest echelon of perfect opsec 100% of the time in use of supposed private email services will still fall short of what default configurations of newer communication protocols such as Signal and Session offer.

  • zkz likes this.

So if Signal asks for captcha identification when creating an account it is like sharing some of your information with e.g. Google? What is captcha identification? Who manages it?

    Javcek
    I tried it last night again. Installed the .apk from Signal's website. They have migrated to hCaptcha. Still unacceptable to me, never really liked Signal, tbh. As for whether Google was getting some information back when Signal was using its captcha, I don't know, but any company that would put this in their app is a no-go in my book.

      AlanZ So you are assuming that any app or website that asks for captcha identification may be sharing some data about you?

        I agree with the general “stay away from email if at all possible” approach.

        Proton Mail is only okay if both parties are using it, and even then, I try to shy away.

        I have friends who are real troglodytes, do not text, carry a dumb flip phone, leave it in the vehicle, because it’s for emergencies only. Too old and stubborn to change.

          beammer335d I would also use molly-FOSS if it wasn't draining the battery. Signal with google services uses 3% of the battery overnight i.e. for 7h. In addition I add 2% of running google services which gives a total of 5 to 6% for 7h of sleep. Without google services Molly was using between 15 and 20% for 7h of sleep for me. I should add that this is all on LTE all the time.

            Javcek
            No, not really, I just won't tolerate this behavior, that's all.

            AlanZ
            What are you doing with Signal that brings up a Captcha? I have been using signal since they merged the two original apps, and have not had this problem.

            Nor has anyone with whom I use Signal.

              Blastoidea Signal usually required captcha when you tried signing up if your IP Address was flagged which happens when you use abused cellular networks or VPN IP's. Not all registrations needed to pass a captcha only flagged IP Addresses or Device strings.

                Javcek
                WOW thats crazy battery drain...not having that kinda of issues here, What device are you running P6P here

                  alci

                  I prefer Prosody, is more customizable, ejjaberd is for lazy people who try to pass xmpp test without any effort.
                  Conversations is a very good client, only need a relook.

                    beammer335d I feel similarly. If people are not willing to put in a little, a little, effort to connect with me over something I feel comfortable using, then I guess I don't need to talk to them.

                    But sometimes its a bit hard with non-tech, or tech-illiterate friends.

                    One of them forgot their Signal PIN, and can't be bothered to reset it.
                    Others have issues with signal notifications. Probably due to crap OEM modified android killing it in the name of battery saving (I don't know).

                      • [deleted]

                      Javcek if you don't give out your phone number or other revealing ID (I am well aware of restrictions GrapheneOS puts on hardware/other ID collection and it isn't airtight), you will give it out somewhere else. Unless you are extra careful. So when it comes to your app usage or web browsing, measure twice, cut once. In case that you use sandboxed Google, I recommend measuring three times :)

                      • [deleted]

                      zkz

                      zkz I feel similarly. If people are not willing to put in a little, a little, effort to connect with me over something I feel comfortable using, then I guess I don't need to talk to them.

                      Does it work in reverse too? If the only app they're on is Viber or Messenger, would you be willing to accommodate them?

                        • [deleted]

                        [deleted] fair point there and let"s not forget to add that as much as you try not to leak your phone number or what have you, all your acquaintances on regular devices WILL