Moving from WhatsApp to Signal is an important action, right now. WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has been involved in several cases of election interference: America in 2016, Trinidad and Tobago …
It doesn’t matter if you hide the number; at some point they deanonymized you when you signed up.
Want to be a dick about “hoops”? Get a number that isn’t traceable. It can be done, but it’s tough. I doubt its possible in the countries that really need anonymity of association.
Don’t ask me for a phone number and I’ll use it.
When did WhatsApp start allowing signups without a phone number?
No clue. Never even tried to use it since it’s a Meta product. I was referring to Signal’s phone # requirement being a non-starter.
So what do you use now?
I use Element.
I use both and have been happy with both, but note that Element / Matrix have recently announced the intent to add paid service tiers.
Fair enough, servers cost, you can self host it too…
Remeber, If it’s “free”, you are the product.
Both technologies are open source. It’s a common model of compensation for the developers, pay as your able.
A friend hosts my instance. I don’t expect free as in beer hosting, only free as in speech code and protocols.
Matrix
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It doesn’t matter if you hide the number; at some point they deanonymized you when you signed up.
Want to be a dick about “hoops”? Get a number that isn’t traceable. It can be done, but it’s tough. I doubt its possible in the countries that really need anonymity of association.
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Duck duck Go VPN connection here
If you’re reading this comment, I posted it from proton vpn
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Data is 100% the enemy and you’re right, lemmy would be moronic to put that roadblock in place
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You’re using the wrong lemmy server then, no problem with mine