#instantmessengers — Public Fediverse posts

@matthew @adbenitez

Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients

#XMPP
#instantMessengers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_cross-platform_instant_messaging_clients

@matthew @adbenitez

Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients

#XMPP
#instantMessengers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_cross-platform_instant_messaging_clients

Indian government decrees that WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, etc. must ensure continuous SIM binding with services

• Indian government has classified each of WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Arattai, Snapchat, ShareChat, JioChat, and Josh as a Telecommunication Identifier User Entity (TIUE)
• TIUEs must fulfill a range of cybersecurity obligations
• TIUEs must ensure that SIM cards remain continuously linked to their services, they must make it impossible for their users to use services without a SIM
• For website or web-app-based access, TIUEs must ensure users are logged out periodically (not later than 6 hours) and must offer an option to relink accounts through a QR-code-based method

https://www.medianama.com/2025/11/223-dot-sim-binding-directions-to-whatsapp-and-telegram/

Triada strikes back – Source: securelist.com https://ciso2ciso.com/triada-strikes-back-source-securelist-com/ #rssfeedpostgeneratorecho #MalwareDescriptions #MalwareTechnologies #CyberSecurityNews #InstantMessengers #Cryptocurrencies #Financialthreats #GoogleAndroid #MobileMalware #Mobilethreats #securelistcom #backdoor #Facebook #Telegram #WhatsApp #Dropper #Malware #Trojan #Skype

Triada strikes back – Source: securelist.com https://ciso2ciso.com/triada-strikes-back-source-securelist-com/ #rssfeedpostgeneratorecho #MalwareDescriptions #MalwareTechnologies #CyberSecurityNews #InstantMessengers #Cryptocurrencies #Financialthreats #GoogleAndroid #MobileMalware #Mobilethreats #securelistcom #backdoor #Facebook #Telegram #WhatsApp #Dropper #Malware #Trojan #Skype

The most popular instant messengers from 1995 to 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyeiqIyPUqQ

#video #instantMessengers

The most popular instant messengers from 1995 to 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyeiqIyPUqQ

#video #instantMessengers

Freetalk – an open-source console based Jabber client for Google Hangout, Jabber and XMPP based services https://archiveapp.org/freetalk/ #instantmessengers #linux #bsd #unix

Freetalk – an open-source console based Jabber client for Google Hangout, Jabber and XMPP based services https://archiveapp.org/freetalk/ #instantmessengers #linux #bsd #unix

With the blocking of #Telegram in #Spain, many people are now looking for #alternatives to this messaging app. Here's a good article (Comparison of #InstantMessengers) that shows that there is no shortage of safe and #opensource options.

#Matrix #XMPP #FOSS

https://eylenburg.github.io/im_comparison.htm

With the blocking of #Telegram in #Spain, many people are now looking for #alternatives to this messaging app. Here's a good article (Comparison of #InstantMessengers) that shows that there is no shortage of safe and #opensource options.

#Matrix #XMPP #FOSS

https://eylenburg.github.io/im_comparison.htm

Hey what was that good infographic picture showing goodness scale of instant messengers? Can't find it anywhere..

#instantmessengers #infographic

Hey what was that good infographic picture showing goodness scale of instant messengers? Can't find it anywhere..

#instantmessengers #infographic

I'm annoyed to see eco-social activists under surveillance having uses of #instantmessengers completely porous with their so cosmetic IT security hygiene, and a so superstitious #privacy strategy. The rejection of a surveillance society, of an alienating domination by Big Tech, the wish of a more respectful world of nature does not allow us to free ourselves from technicality and tools. We must be technocritical, not ignorant and outdated.

Threema (already more private than Signal messenger) is now on F-Droid, completely free from Google code

https://gadgeteer.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screenshot_20220804_182838-400x266.jpg Threema’s instant messenger has proven to be an answer to security and privacy concerns surrounding WhatsApp and Telegram. It has also managed to provide an alternative to Google’s push notifications with the introduction of Threema […]

https://gadgeteer.co.za/threema-already-more-private-than-signal-messenger-is-now-on-f-droid-completely-free-from-google-code/

https://gadgeteer.co.za/threema-already-more-private-than-signal-messenger-is-now-on-f-droid-completely-free-from-google-code/

Signal significantly ups its end-to-end video group call limit to 40 people, making it pretty useful now

While WhatsApp and most other messengers support end-to-end encryption, Signal is probably still your best choice (of the popularly used options) when you want your conversations and calls to stay private. Given that all communication on Signal is encrypted, including group video calls, the company is running into some unique challenges that need to be addressed when scaling its service. As such, Signal has only supported group calls with up to five participants until now, but it has finally managed to significantly up the limit to 40 people at a time.

See Signal significantly ups its video group call limit, surpassing WhatsApp

#technology #E2EE #encryptedvideo #Signal #instantmessengers

Imagem/foto

> Up to 40 people can now join an end-to-end encrypted video call
https://matomo.gadgeteer.co.za/piwik.php?idsite=1&rec=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgadgeteer.co.za%2Fsignal-significantly-ups-its-end-to-end-video-group-call-limit-to-40-people-making-it-pretty-useful-now%2F%3Fpk_campaign%3Dfeed%26pk_kwd%3Dsignal-significantly-ups-its-end-to-end-video-group-call-limit-to-40-people-making-it-pretty-useful-now&action_name=Signal+significantly+ups+its+end-to-end+video+group+call+limit+to+40+people%2C+making+it+pretty+useful+now&urlref=https%3A%2F%2Fgadgeteer.co.za%2Ffeed%2F

https://www.androidpolice.com/signal-significantly-ups-its-video-group-call-limit-surpassing-whatsapp/ https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e1000cafa68b51e31751f4dbdecd6ebe368

If you use #Jabber and want an #Android client, but can't sideload from #FDroid for whatever reason, you can currently get #Conversations for free on #GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.siacs.conversations

#AndroidApps #XMPP #IM #InstantMessengers

https://briarproject.org/ looks like a awesome project for not-so-awesome times. #briar #instantmessengers

Is an open secure instant messaging protocol not what is needed to allow any messaging app to communicate with any other, and to break the monopoly of Big Tech?

The reason why we as consumers get held to ransom by Big Tech is because they are the one's who create walled gardens of their apps to ensure it is very difficult to leave their service and to maintain any communication with your friends or family who stay behind. They count on that sticky network effect to hold you in place.
The world was not always like this, as we see with e-mail where any app can e-mail any other app. Neither was messaging as it was also once open.
So what we need is a protocol to be broadly supported that will connect anyone to any other app supporting that open protocol, but which allows end-to-end encryption. We need apps to support it, just like Hubzilla which built in a number of plugins to allow it to communicate with Diaspora, XMPP, Fediverse, etc all from one place. https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e109dab463c31acc8023b464a121f11d70d

Iran blocks Signal messaging app after WhatsApp exodus... BUT many wonder why WhatsApp and Instagram are not blocked

This is pretty puzzling as we know Signal is reputed to be secure (apart from having to provide a phone number to register) and although Telegram's default settings allow access to metadata and even message content ultimately, both have been banned because they have been proven before not to release any user data.
But why was WhatsApp not banned in Iran, and neither in Russia previously either? This is what is really puzzling many people? It would be pure unfounded conjecture to speculate whether WhatsApp provides metadata about who contacts whom, locations, etc to authorities as we've not seen evidence of this yet as far as I know. We do not know this but all the same, the question does need to be asked.
If you are in Iran I'd recommend though that you install XMPP, or P2P apps such as ManyVerse or similar anyway as centralised apps are just too easy to monitor or disable. https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e10902855c52e7485201c0902edc69c4fe2

New South African laws for sending intimate images without permission or threatening or inciting damage or violence will be criminal offences

Parliament recently passed the Cybercrimes Bill, which includes a bevvy of new laws around the sending of messages and electronic communications in South Africa. The bill was passed by Parliament on 2 December and now only awaits the President’s signature to take effect.
Nothing really out of the ordinary as many such utterances would have been criminal offences before but the law has described more specifically "forwarding" and "private groups" and other online messaging type scenarios. This will be welcomed by those who have been on the receiving end of being victimised, discriminated, bullied, etc.
Of course, it's a slippery slope still as messaging apps evolve with prevention of screenshots, E2EE, and disappearance of messages after being read. It does not infringe on opposing opinions at all but it is high time there is more accountability online. https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e10736155acad7e67750fb563b1f3d7c624

Cure53 latest 2020 security audit of Threema messenger confirms it is still secure for Android and iOS

Whereas their most recent audit to date was conducted by the University of Münster’s Lab for IT Security in 2019, they now hired Cure53 this time. In a total of 16 person days, experts of the renowned security firm subjected the Threema apps to a thorough inspection.
It is noted that the source code, although available to the audit, has still not been published, so we cannot yet consider it open source. Despite that Threema does rank as very secure and it clearly a step above the likes of Whatsapp and Telegram.
See New Audit Confirms Threema’s Security Once Again

https://threema.ch/en/blog/posts/audit-2020-en https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e109b166b10627a063214aca70cc3f2cffa

RCS messaging is now available globally - A global standard is good but it must work everywhere across all devices and be true E2EE

I love the idea of upgrading SMS (after decades) to something more modern and useful. This is why Whatsapp, Telegram, Signal, etc became so successful.
But for it to become really mainstream (and possibly dethrone some of those other messengers) it must be:
1. An open standard for use and compliance by all so that there is interoperability (unlike every other messenger). It cannot be owned by Google or some closed consortium (apparently it is open but 'Google with partners' does not sound neutral enough).
2. Needs to work across all devices including Android and iPhone. We don't need yet another iMessage service.
3. Needs to be truly End-2-End-Encrypted (as in user-2-user) and this is where the issue will come in as right now SMS is open text that any government can read remotely. Why am I thinking the US, China, and others won't like this unless there is a backdoor... https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e10634008e67bda7f63a8264b75c7e6063a

Delta Chat is a secure instant messenger app with no central account as it transparently uses encrypted mails via your existing mail account so everyone is potentially a user

This is a really interesting concept to have an open source native app running on Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows or Linux which does not require any central registration or account. Just about everyone has an e-mail account onlne so theoretically everyone is reachable with this app unlike Whatsapp only sending to other Whatsapp users.
The messages are encrypted with Autocrypt Level 1 standard and can thus E2E-encrypt messages with other Autocrypt-capable apps. There is a way to even use your existing PGP encryption key, as well as to use it across multiple devices. They answer many potential questions in their FAQ on their website.
It also only shows your actual app contacts so you won't suddenly be flooded with e-mails inside the app.
See The messenger - Delta Chat
> Delta Chat - Email Based Instant Messenger
https://hubzilla.gadgeteer.co.za/photos/gadgeteer/image/b0ef93a0-3ff7-4f1b-8f66-d594001c765b

https://delta.chat/en/ https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e1005922b1a751f25ba7cc734a00e55bd52

Big changes coming to WhatsApp, including in-app purchases - NOW is a good time to install alternative messengers so your friends can move away from Whatsapp

Many folks have left Facebook already because of how they cluttered it up with apps, now dating services, and all sorts of other crud, not to mention of course selling our data. We've known for a long time that Whatsapp (and Instagram) is heading the same way.
Do yourself a favour and install some alternative messengers such as Signal, Telegram, or Threema just so you are not the one holding your friends and family back who want to move away from Whatsapp. Modern phones are easily capable of running multiple messengers at the same time and there is no reason to only be on Whatsapp.
See Big changes coming to WhatsApp, including in-app purchases - TechCentral

https://techcentral.co.za/big-changes-coming-to-whatsapp-including-in-app-purchases/102274/ https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e1005a807ee7725fe5d0cf3e30fc8c14a07

Feds are tapping protester's phones in the US using SIM cloning - This is why you want a SIM PIN and 2FA for apps on your phone and Signal to protect SMS

Federal Agents from the US Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department used “a sophisticated cell phone cloning attack — the details of which remain classified — to intercept protesters’ phone communications” in Portland this summer, Ken Klippenstein reported this week in The Nation.
Some interesting tips in the article below that are just as valid for protesters in other countries protesting for democratic or constitutional rights. I so often also hear the excuse that "none of my friends use Signal" and really if you don't install it yourself, YOU are the one holding your friends back. Today's modern mobile phone really are capable of easily running many more instant messenger apps and services. There really is no excuse not to install a few alternative messaging apps.
See One Way to Prevent Police From Surveilling Your Phone

https://theintercept.com/2020/09/25/surveillance-sim-cloning-protests-protect-phone/ https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e1055565443002f43c3d7d493808ea2e6d2

With Threema Instant Messenger Going Open Source It Will Be One Of the Most Secure Messengers Even Over Signal

Threema does seem to tick all the boxes including not requiring any e-mail address, phone number or SIM to register, and authenticating contacts via QR code, biometric or PIN login access.
Yes it does not have group video calls (just 1 to 1) but security and privacy come first before nice-to-haves. It has Android and iOS apps and a browser based web access for desktop. Just don't lose your fingerprint or backup ID...
See my updated comparison of secure messengers at CryptPad
#technology #privacy #security #instantmessengers

https://cryptpad.fr/sheet/#/2/sheet/view/crZ3paBS2Jo6kOu9JXf9lL4BatkuPzWrRboE1AEqCxE/ https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e102b4d62ee3045232473144d104af8057b

Telegram updated to v6.1 as it hits 400 million monthly active users - Better attachment picker, new quiz features, and improved sticker management are on board

Amidst the global coronavirus pandemic, Telegram has reached the milestone of 400 million monthly active users, up from 300 million a year ago. To celebrate the occasion, the company has introduced an update to Telegram version 6.1.
Back in January, Telegram added quizzes to its poll feature, and with school children staying at home right now, the company has decided to enhance this aspect of the app with more educational features. The @QuizBot lets you add explanations when users respond to questions to give them more context or help them learn from mistakes. There's also a timer to make cheating harder. For anyone interested in creating educational quizzes, the company has set up a competition to crowd-source original education tests in any language. It'll distribute €400,000 across participants based on popularity and quality of their submissions. https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e103d43a7c73cf3bc4fc12041de0ff2b673

My summary of the most secure cross-platform instant messengers - there are 5 very good one's but it depends on your finer criteria - not one was 100%

This is not an exhaustive list but I took the most commonly mentioned one's and threw in WhatsApp and Telegram for benchmarking. The criteria I was looking at included what type of hosting (and whether P2P) where, how anonymous is registration, can you securely remote delete, what sort of metadata is stored on servers, are your contacts shared, is it open source, two-factor authentication, are screenshots prevented, and some basic functionality.
The apps I looked at were Signal, Session, Loki Messenger, Dust, Wire, Wickr Me, Tox (protocol), and Jami. Briar and BCM Messenger fell out because Briar is Android only, and BCM Messenger although probably scoring top notified me they are shutting down. Mesh also fell out because they are Windows only right now with other clients still planned. Some items like screenshot prevention I put an orange warning but did not give the product a red flag, although it is nice to have.
So the summary of the summary is: https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e10652f6fbae56b1faef80797c299140fcf

12 Free Encrypted & Decentralized (no central Internet server site) Messenger For iOS And Android (Nope Whatsapp is not in the list)

Edward Snowden exposed the need for us to have a more secure way of sending messages via smartphone, it is now known that the NSA monitors all messages across the globe. All text messages are logged and crawled by an A.I, these messages are stored permanently in a NSA server for future references, this includes SnapChat.
Decentralized – Peer to peer communication with no central server that stores our text messages or as a relay between the sender or receiver, thus preventing interception or a record.
This is a good overview of some of the best real privacy instant messengers. Apart from one (Briar) they are all cross-platform and a few will even operate without the Internet.
See 12 Free Encrypted & Decentralized Messenger For iOS And Android

https://www.geckoandfly.com/20552/encrypted-secure-message-chat/ https://squeet.me/objects/962c3e1082dd75aeb98e6d82ea4181ef83a8dc0f

@librelounge just listening to your episode on #InstantMessengers. I heard that FB announced plans to merge Messenger, #WhatsApp, and #Instagram, but according to #Wired the plan is more about inter-operation between the services. Although they do suggest that it will also involve merging accounts across the services, similar to when gOgle launched G+ and merged GMail and YT accounts into it:
https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-messenger-whatsapp-instagram-chat-combined-encryption-identity/