This was never the expectation. It provided a unified messaging interface and a shallow barrier to entry for people used to SMS.
I could install Signal on a phone for a neophyte user and they could use it as their normal SMS app. Then you could securely message them in the same interface and all of a sudden their messages between you would be secure.
Isn’t that a vulnerability ? if a non-technical person has Signal as their main messaging program (including sms) aren’t they at risk of not being able to tell when their messages are actually secure and when they aren’t ?
You’re looking at it through the eyes of a competent user. It’s obvious to us. It’s not trivial to the general population. Just ask most iOS users what the difference is between green/blue bubbles - they have no idea other than “one sucks and means they use Android”
I always thought it was missing the bridge between “SMS on your phone” and “messages on any paired device”. Y u no sync SMS to my desktop client and allow responses :(
Because that would require your desktop sending the message to your phone and having your phone actually send it. The device with the SIM card needs to be the one that actually sends the SMS.
In their defence: SMS is not secure enough for Signal standards
This was never the expectation. It provided a unified messaging interface and a shallow barrier to entry for people used to SMS.
I could install Signal on a phone for a neophyte user and they could use it as their normal SMS app. Then you could securely message them in the same interface and all of a sudden their messages between you would be secure.
Isn’t that a vulnerability ? if a non-technical person has Signal as their main messaging program (including sms) aren’t they at risk of not being able to tell when their messages are actually secure and when they aren’t ?
I used it as well on my Android, and the UI made it pretty clear when you were sending ‘unencrypted’ texts to someone.
You’re looking at it through the eyes of a competent user. It’s obvious to us. It’s not trivial to the general population. Just ask most iOS users what the difference is between green/blue bubbles - they have no idea other than “one sucks and means they use Android”
alright
I always thought it was missing the bridge between “SMS on your phone” and “messages on any paired device”. Y u no sync SMS to my desktop client and allow responses :(
Because that would require your desktop sending the message to your phone and having your phone actually send it. The device with the SIM card needs to be the one that actually sends the SMS.
I used their SMS integration for a while and it was quite awful if memory serves, I went back to the native client. I still use signal on its own.
That’s odd, I used it for years and it served me well.