On: Privacy is priceless, but Signal is expensive

[heavyset_go]

Signal requires a real phone number to open an account, you are not anonymous to Signal.

[nerdbert → heavyset_go]

I can pop into almost any phone shop around here and walk out with a free SIM card, which I can top up for cash.

[sneak → heavyset_go]

Phone numbers can be obtained anonymously in many countries. I have several anonymous Signal accounts, each with their own anonymous phone number.

[caeril → sneak]

It's possible in the US, but it's getting very difficult. I don't know anywhere you can buy or or borrow a DID with Monero anymore. Looks like they got to Telnum recently.

You can still buy a SIM, a prepaid PIN, and a phone with cash, but you'd need to pay a non-correlated person to be seen on CCTV to do it, at a non-correlated time, and hope they don't just take your money and leave you nothing at the dead drop.

Then there's the hassle of setting up the account in a way that's not correlated with your location, normal waking hours, etc.

All of this could just be avoided if Signal did the right thing.

But they won't. Ask yourself why.

[sneak → caeril]

Why would you not need to be seen on CCTV? This has nothing to do with the privacy of Signal.

I buy all of my anonymous prepaid SIMs with cash at retail myself, and they are still anonymous.

The only time you’d need to stay off CCTV is if you were using them to commit crimes and expected a significant investigation to be undertaken.

Your casual assertion of malice on the part of Signal is not supported by any facts.

[pizzafeelsright → caeril]

Why are you typing my comments?

Exactly. They won't because .... reasons.