Friendly reminder:
People, stop using #Meta, #Google, and other #BigTech Apps that make YOU the product!
There are already so many right-wing governments.
You compromise your current or at least future security (e.g. profiling using LLMs.)
Use #Threema or #Signal instead.
#DeleteWhatsApp
#DeleteThreads
#DeleteFacebook
#DeleteInstagram
#DeleteTwitter
#DeleteTikTok
#DeGoogle your Android phone
Data collection comparison of messenger services (found on the web):
@HistoPol @smallcircles You can't use original Signal on the degoogled devices due to the "hardcoded" google-services dependencies in the app code.
Okay, there are some modded Signal versions with google crap removed, but still that's a "third-party" work - you can't be sure of what exactly is in the code inside. There's no warranty that someone doesn't compromised the app code. We have a few good example of troianised apps in the Samsung and Huawei store with over a million counted downloads.
Thanks for pointing this out.
An alternative app must run on Android and Apple to be acceptable, non-exclusive for the general public.
For me, not fond if the #RottenApple and its data practices and lock-in policies, #Signal will not be a solution in its current version, then.
I think I read that #Threema doesn't suffer from this issue?
@gorky @HistoPol 2/2 Luckily there is a workaround. You can use patched signal fork called "Langis" together with the ntfy (alternative notification system/api) and extra "for signal" patched microG version. Such combo will allow you to have and use 100 percent identical in the terms of functionality signal on the degoogled devices and your account won't be banned.
It doen´t matter which version/fork you use from Signal!
Since Signal's entire traffic runs over the clouds of Amazon, Google, Microsoft & Cloudflare.
All US services can pick up your meta data directly from there, thanks to the CloudACT:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CLOUD_Act
Only Threema does NOT store any metadata nor IP-Adresses.
The advertising statements from Signal don't help at all.
85% of the SP run on Google's Android and that sends encrypted data packets to "home" every day. No one knows what's in there, but can assume that Google can assign the IPs to fixed users every day.
If someone sends a signal message Google knows where it comes from and they know to 85% who got it!
All this results in valuable meta data!
Proxies are useless, because they have your proxy IP / VPN IP, ect.
The advertising statements from Signal don’t help at all.
What they have published are responses to subpoena from US courts. Don’t believe courts would accept advertisements as response.
85% of the SP run on Google’s Android
So you are suggesting that android is the issue here? In that case it doesn’t matter which IM you are using, becoz as per this, android can send out a bunch of information about anything on your phone to google, in spite of what application you are using.
Android with google services could do this, probably is the reason why some people prefer to use de-googled android (one of the original question here that triggered this convo).
Google can assign the IPs to fixed users every day.
I certainly don’t get this. Google doesn’t assign IP addresses to your device. It’s done by your ISP.
Overall, to me it look like you are suggesting the devices running android itself is the problem. In that case, the only option is to do away with mobile phones, becoz, in spite of what OS you run, your service provider can track your exact physical location anytime, which could be more troubling.
And I get the argument that meta data is what gives you up and that is where an app that collects the least amount of meta data becomes more secure.
It is not Android that is the problem, but Google - the old data octopus - that is behind it everywhere.
And Google sees the user IPs and knows who is behind it. Big Data in the global sense!
But there are enough solutions:
Set up your smartphone with an ungoogled Android. Use secure keyboards (e.g. OpenBoard).
Signal is a data slinger - in the sense of the US intelligence services. But it is not a secure messenger.
Sounds like good advice.
Secure keyboards ("anti keyboard-logger"?) for smartphones, tablets and laptops? Might be a peripheral device, but not a practical solution.
Fairphone has warranty issues (see thread earlier this week) and DYI is beyond the knowledge of most. (Have an old Samsung, not updateable anymore, would love to have it working again--deGoogled.