The biggest issue with Matrix is that the server collects ALL the metadata.
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Signal requires a phone number on setup.
Also, matrix has bridges, which alone make it worthwhile for me. They, of course, don't help privacy, but they are so so nice for convenience.
Matrix is definitely slow though, and a grand majority of the clients are heavy terrible buggy electron apps. There are a few good ones ( nheko and the new beeper clients ), but even they have some rough edges.
I still use matrix all the time and love it.
If max privacy was the goal I think simplex looks wonderful. No required info for sign up, no way for them to possibly collect any metadata ( because there are no identifiers sent over internet for anyone at all ), E2EE, and decentralized.
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You can use Molly, a fork of Signal for android. It offers an alternative for push notifications.
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Signal requires a phone number on setup.
Not anymore.
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Uhhhh yeah, no literally none of that is true
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Signal requires a phone number on setup.
It is dumb and annoying and inconvenient but doesn't affect its use or privacy.
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Yep, I run my own mollysocket + ntfy server.
Essentially, molly socket functions as another device, when it recieves a notif, it pings your specified unified push server, which then queues up a notification for the ntfy app on your device.
You don't need to run your own unified push server, and can just use one of the main ones, but I figured I might as well.
I personally have them hosted on fly.io for free via the legacy hobby plan.
Now all I need to do is get more of my friends to message me on it
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Sure but it allows VOIP numbers. I'm using a jmp.chat number with it just fine.
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Yes it does
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You can choose to share a username instead of a phone number, but they still require the phone number at setup iirc.
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It affects its use for me definitely. I don't want to have a phone number. At all.
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Good to know!
Is the phone number required for 2fa codes or anything like that at any point ?
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I got an initial verification code and haven't heard from signal since. Signal doesn't support totp or SMS 2fa. But has a pin code set along with your password. A new device that is added doesn't have access to old messages unless you have the correct seed key iirc
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You're right. Only for setup though, which is something I guess.
How to Use Signal WhatsApp Without Phone Number?
As mentioned above, a valid phone number that can receive calls and text messages is required to create and verify your Signal Account.
Since, your mobile device does not have a phone number or you do not want to use your phone number, you can use a Landline Phone Number or a Virtual Phone Number as provided by TextNow, Google Voice and others to verify your Signal Account.
Once the account verification process is completed, you will be able to use Signal on your mobile device, regardless of whether or not it has a phone number or SIM card installed on it.
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I have to wonder if you could use a burner number and just disable it after setting up your username
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How do you even exist without a phone number. How do you get cellular data? Does the government not require you to have one? Your employer? What about all the services that require one?
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I think you'd have a theoretical issue if the next person who got that number also tried to set up a signal account.
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You might be right. I'll have to go double check, but I don't think that you can just set up a new account with the same number without the password you set up.
I might be wrong, though.
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To be clear, I have a phone number, but I do not WANT to have one. Most aspects of my life I have removed my phone number from. There are still a few services ( like signal! ) which requires one, and I cope. Cellular data is also something worth avoiding, from a privacy perspective. It is very possible to live a life where you're never very far from wifi, especially in a city. I do not currently do this, but would love to one day.
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It creates a cost for spammers. They have to have an account with a Telco, which isn't free, which in a lot of countries comes with some sort of National ID to register. That's the reason.
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No they don't, you can sign up with a VoIP provider.
