zlacker

>>pera+(OP)
The biggest drawback with Signal for protesters is that it exposes the user's phone number to everyone else in groups (just like WhatsApp does). There is no way to even hide the fact that you have an account on Signal. I can add phone numbers by enumeration into my contacts and Signal will show who among my contacts is on it. If the authorities don't use tactics like they did in Hong Kong, the protesters may be safe from being spied on (or worse).

>>AnonC+ul
Signal is not only used by protesters[0][1] so discovering that a phone number is connected to a Signal account by no means implies that the phone is used by a protester.

[0]: https://www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2020/01/23/deploye...

[1]: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/17/tories-swit...

>>hjek+7m
Yeah, if you're ever asked why you're on Signal, just say you wanted to stay in touch with a programmer friend who's not on Facebook/WhatsApp, and they suggested Signal (that is now literally true as well - I suggest you try Signal, friend)

>>m12k+wn
Couldn't you just say "I really like the user interface."

Or "The logo looks cool."

Or "It had 4 stars."

Of "It had lots of good reviews."

>>pwdiss+gv
And the cop will say "I don't believe you you terrorist" and lock you up until you say something else. This has happened time and time again, including in the latest Hong Kong protests, on American border interrogations and it will happen in these US protests as well.

Once you're on the list of suspects from someone elses Signal chat, you're not going to persuade a suspicious official by bullshitting.