So I’m in a somewhat unfortunate situation. My circle of friends doesn’t want to switch to another messenger and we are currently stuck on the worst possible platform for security: Telegram.
The problem is that it is very hard to convince anyone to switch, if they are all perfectly fine and like Telegram. I mean I can get why they like it: The UX and UI of Telegram are amazing and there are well functioning clients available for any platform. It has more features and gimmicks than any other messenger I know BUT it lacks one mayor thing: E2EE. And that’s mostly what I care about. The second problem is that I was the person who recommended the switch to Telegram right after WhatsApp was bought by Facebook. I know, that was a bad recommendation, but back then I didn’t know shit about privacy or why E2EE mattered. I was just like “Hey, it’s not by Facebook, so it must be better”. And now everyone I know is there and won’t leave.
If - in the hypothetical situation of me setting an ultimatum and deleting my Telegram after that - I wanted to make them switch somewhere else: What messenger would that be? Currently I’m mostly thinking Signal. I know it’s not perfect either, it is centralized, and the servers are in the US, but it has a bigger user base already than most of its competitors like Threema or Matrix/Element and it is very easy to set up and use. I’m already a user of Signal, Threema, Matrix, WhatsApp and Telegram (every platform for some contacts, but most of them on Telegram sadly), so having yet another option is not a problem for me, as well as getting rid of one is also no problem. I’d love to delete both Telegram and WhatsApp in this move.
So, in conclusion, what I need is a messenger that has all or most of the following:
- best possible security (E2EE is minimum)
- easy to use (no complicated setup, simple UI)
- already has some users (not too niche)
- cross-platform and multi-device (should run on Android, iOS and Windows/Web)
- some flashy dumb features like stickers and so on to keep them entertained
My choice would be Signal. But I am unsure if that is the best choice or if I should just wait a bit and see what all of the new EU laws about messengers and gatekeepers bring to the game and if anything chances with that.
Hot take here; so PLEASE do not reply unless you’re the OP.
Maybe you don’t have to switch. At least not immediately. Ultimately someone will make a stink out of switching. Again!
MProto isn’t the best cryptography around; but it does provide some implementation of some low level privacy. I wouldn’t trust a credit card number to it; but it’s not worthless. It is however heavily disliked by people who understand cryptography and value privacy. But Your friends don’t care! That fact is irrelevant to them emotionally.
And this is where the problem starts…Your friends have gotten accustomed and attached too much to Telegram and it’s many eye-candy features and smooth polish.
This is where you need to “Sour The Milk” and wean them off Telegram.
Perform your usual setup of a new group. Use Signal or Matrix (usually this will be though Element). Then Force anyone who decides to be stubborn on Telegram to use the “Secure Chat” feature on Telegram. At least then the stubborn holdouts won’t be causing you excessive privacy issues.
Then lastly just transition to your new platform and pay exclusive attention to the new one and let people trickle in.
That’s a valuable Idea. If I force them to use the secret chats option, then they maybe notice that Telegram is worthless without all the flashy stuff and is not private at all. And it’s at least a step forward into the right direction.