Even State Department-funded Human Rights Watch admits that authorities combine legal and illegal methods to obtain convictions: https://text.hrw.org/report/2018/01/09/dark-side/secret-origins-evidence-us-criminal-cases

Combining dragnet surveillance with device hacking is intended in the design of both tools. Hence, State Department-funded Signal dupes you into handing over your identity as part of the population-centric mapping. In custody, your phone will be hacked when it is taken away if it’s important.

https://xcancel.com/hannahcrileyy/status/2034273723667161480#m

  • floquant@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    347·
    2 months ago

    I really don’t get the big “use signal” push at this point in time because even if it’s private and the encryption is solid, it’s a fucking American company. It’s so easy for letter agencies to get information on their users from them, don’t you realize that they can’t refuse to give out your number if they ask for it and that once they have that your identity and location are immediately and thoroughly compromised? If you are subject to US jurisdiction and could be seen in any way as opposing its government, I really don’t think you should be using it.

      • Dessalines@lemmy.ml
        71·
        2 months ago

        We know it’s an op, RFA does damage control for signal:

        Libby Liu, president of Radio Free Asia stated:

        Our primary interest is to make sure the extended OTF network and the Internet Freedom community are not spooked by the [Yasha Levine’s critical] article (no pun intended). Fortunately all the major players in the community are together in Valencia this week - and report out from there indicates they remain comfortable with OTF/RFA.

    • James R Kirk@startrek.websiteEnglish
      115·
      2 months ago

      It’s not a company it’s a nonprofit foundation. And they’ve been audited many times by independent auditors.

      • floquant@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        87·
        2 months ago

        Sorry but both points are irrelevant, nonprofit foundations can still be forced to turn over user information. That is part of following the law so nothing that would need to be hidden to auditors, unless you were talking about encryption audits which is completely besides the point

        • syzygy@lemmy.mlEnglish
          91·
          2 months ago

          What data is there for Signal to turn over? Can you prove that they’re keeping messages or logs on their servers that have ‘disappeared’ from all the associated devices?

          • Dessalines@lemmy.ml
            62·
            2 months ago

            Your entire social network graphs, and timestamped message history.

            No one can “prove” signal doesn’t store everything. If you give me ssh access to their server, then I can verify. Otherwise it’s “just trust me bro”.

            • Tinidril@midwest.socialEnglish
              3·
              2 months ago

              If you give me ssh access to their server, then I can verify. Otherwise it’s “just trust me bro”.

              What do you think an independent autit does?

          • WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            23·
            2 months ago

            the irrededeemable fact that you are using it, which matters because the government now just targets all the signal users. they can’t read your messages, so they are applying guilt by association.

    • mister_flibble@sh.itjust.works
      41·
      2 months ago

      Because the other options most people are aware of are by and large even worse? Would you prefer people were sending this shit over Facebook messenger?