this post was submitted on 09 Nov 2024
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[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I've been instructing LGBTQ acquaintances to use encrypted messaging services like signal and to get a VPN that doesn't log like mullvad and that your phone company can track your location without gps on but you should still turn off gps/bt/WiFi/mobile data when you're not using them.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

That's good advice, though I may have heard concerning stuff about Signal recently? Maybe not, kinda hard to keep up with everything.

By and large though I think it's wise for folks who could end up targets to do what you're saying, and to get safe communications operational at a minimum, now, while it's still easy to do.

I have some skepticism about whether the worst will come to pass, but it's wise to prepare in ways like this.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Every time people find a supposed security flaws with signal it turns out to be nothing, so signal is probably fine.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago

Good enough for me, and ultimately "good enough" is about as good as anything is gonna get.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I have some skepticism about whether the worst will come to pass.

Homosexuality has been illegal in the not too distant past as has "sodomy"

I thought I also saw something about signal being an issue as well but I didn't remember what the problem was. They did recently introduce usernames and the ability to keep your phone number secret. You still have to use a phone number to create an account. It's also the app that is targeted the most by nation-states trying to decrypt it. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that it has been decrypted but they wouldn't use that to go after the average person and only use it to spy on other countries.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that it has been decrypted

I don't think we need this sort of fear-mongering. Signal's encryption is fully open source, it has been vetted by cryptographers far more experienced with this stuff than you or I. They even introduced, a few years back, an encryption algorithm that's future-proof against quantum computing.

All you are doing is potentially pushing people away from one of the few known-safe options. That's the opposite of helpful.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks for the info on Signal. I'm under no illusions about the severity of our situation, truly. I know our history, and I know the history of fascism elsewhere. And I see what's happening in front of us.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I have some skepticism about whether the worst will come to pass,

saving this

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

I just mean the literal very worst. I'm not downplaying the situation.