zlacker

Back in the day Signal was called TextSecure and it did everything over SMS which required no centralized infrastructure aside from the cellular networks. They transitioned to internet-based messaging to support Apple devices. It seems that decision is now a 50 million dollar per year step backwards.

>>craftk+(OP)
TextSecure! Wow this took me back to 2011.

>>craftk+(OP)
SMS would be a complete non-starter in Europe. Many (no?) countries lack unlimited texting plans.

>>craftk+(OP)
It's not a step backwards for me. Our organization uses signal in many situations where SMS isn't an option. When I land in a new country it is normal for my cell/SMS not to work. But I can hop on some local wifi and get signal messages. We had a widespread cell outage in my area last year. Signal not being on cell/SMS meant that I could still communicate with family without need of cell towers. This is a big step forwards imho.

>>sandwo+51
> When I land in a new country it is normal for my cell/SMS not to work. But I can hop on some local wifi and get signal messages.

WiFi calling is a standard feature that does exactly what you describe for texts and calls, without using a third-party. I have cell connectivity turned off constantly on my phone and yet receive texts and calls via WiFi.

It is actually an awesome feature for receiving 2FA SMS at my parent's place where there is great internet but poor cell coverage.

>>craftk+(OP)
If you check their costs, SMS (used for registration) is the most expensive part of their operation.

>>syspec+s2
You misunderstand how textsecure worked.

>>syspec+s2
There was no "registration" and TextSecure never sent you messages. It was strictly peer-to-peer.

>>nicola+e2
WiFi calling isn’t always free internationally though, it often gets charged according to your phone plan’s international rates, which is discouraging for many people. Signal, on the other hand, just sees WiFi as WiFi.

>>craftk+m3
You're mistaken. I still have my textsecure account registration verification text message (because I'm a data hoarder) from March 15, 2015

>>sigmar+N6
2015 was after the internet-based-messaging transition but before the rename. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TextSecure

>>craftk+(OP)
Right, I totally hate being able to text, voice, video, send files, and screen share with individuals or groups of people, including half my contacts who use iPhone. Also, fuck them for making all of it sync to all my computers. And I especially hate the fact that I was not billed by telecom carriers for the tens of thousands of messages I've sent and thousands of calls I've made over it over the last 10 years.

Yes, indeed, how backwards. I wish I only used software that spied on me, or permitted others to spy on me, for those features.

>>jadyoy+G
Wait, still ?? Which countries ?