I am not comfortable that signal depends proprietary google library. However, I find that Molly lags significantly behind signal (around 1 to 2 weeks, so maybe not as significant as I thought), but I am just concerned that if there is a security fix in signal, molly will not be able to react as fast.

I am also quite frustrated with the general lack of communication from the signal team (for example the lack of communication regarding username). I doubt they will have the good will to help molly when there is a critical security fix.

It is frustrating that signal no longer seems like the gold standard for privacy any more; unfortunately, all my friends are on there (ironic, isn’t it…).

  • @hoodlem@hoodlem.me
    5•1 year ago

    And there’s an app which does this, too - it’s called Briar.

    Cool I had not heard of this, thanks!

        • Lengsel
          5•1 year ago

          I gave up Briar for SimpleX, as really good as Briar is, because of only having one ID. On SimpleX, if you enable incognito, it will create a new random ID for each new contact that you message, so no 2 persons will see the same ID for you, they each see you as a different name.

          Also SimpleX is on iOS and Android, Briar is only for Android, and SimpleX does calling with contacts.

          • @muhyb@programming.dev
            2•1 year ago

            How do you backup SimpleX? Considering you changed your phone or factory reseted, can a normal person continue to contact their previous list? They don’t have a problem with Signal since it uses the phone number. Can I convince my family / friends on SimpleX, as I barely managed it on Signal? Because SimpleX looks much nicer and I’d love to use it.

            • Lengsel
              3•1 year ago

              In SimpleX app settings, if you have already set a database passphrase, you can do a data backup or export to a file, when SimpleX is installed again, you import database.

              • @muhyb@programming.dev
                1•1 year ago

                I see, thanks for the reply. I guess this is still not so viable for tech-illiterate people, unless the devs find an optional and more streamlined process for this. I barely made people use Signal, they couldn’t managed Matrix for example.

                • Lengsel
                  2•1 year ago

                  Let them stick with Molly/Signal, that will give them a lot of privacy, and nothing for them to figure out how to use.

                  Leave SimpleX for people more skilled to handle how to do configurations. SimpleX does have superior privacy over Signal, but mabe they can’t do SimpleX. Take it in stages with what they can handle, don’t jump to the end.

                  I’m not willing to Matrix and I don’t recommend anyone use it if they wat privacy and anonymity. I’m content only using Molly and SimpleX with everybody I know and no other apps or messaging services.

                  • @muhyb@programming.dev
                    1•1 year ago

                    I agree. Though I think 1v1 on Matrix is fine if encrypted prior, but I mostly use Matrix as tech news/forum. Federated services are not good for privacy anyway, they are not meant to be.

                    Currently I tell people to install Signal if they want to message me, I guess it would be a couple people for SimpleX. Most of my Signal list came when WhatsApp ToS made it to the news, some of them uninstalled Signal after a while but I’m okay with it. Well, I’m happy with Molly-FOSS for now. I would love to use SimpleX but it’s something.