Now that Skype will shut down, i see a good chance to geht my family to switch to a better solution. In order to even have the chance to be accepted instead of just switching to teams i think it has to check the following goals:
- easy to use
- reliable
- direkt calling (called device will just ring)
- multi paltform (iOS, Android, iPad, Windws)
- group calls
- free to use (unfortunately)
I tried:
- Jami: unfortunatly was unreliable in my first two device test
- Jisti Meet: no direct calling
- Signal (already failed to convince all family members a view years back switching from Whatsapp, mabye this can be an new chance. But Videocalling infortunately is too often unreliable)
Why not Signal? it’s like WA. My family were able to accept it in the end, and it’s easier now than years ago.
Controversial take:
When Signal came up WA sucked, wasn’t secure. Nowadays they adopted the same E2EE that Signal uses and there isn’t much difference privacy-wise. Of course I still prefer not to feed the Zuckerborg, but WA objectively isn’t as bad as it was back then.
edit: apparently the E2EE does not apply to media and document attachments, and all metadata, so you might still want to consider who you entrust with that.
Controversial take
Meta still collects all the meta data it gets it’s hands on. Also WhatsApp is completely closed source and proprietary. You will never know if they properly encrypt your stuff and if the private keys really never leave your device. You still have to trust Zuckerberg that he properly protects your data … from him.
WhatsApp being not as bad as it used to be is a low bar that doesn’t really speak to any sort of reliability or trustworthiness
You already have your family using an encrypted service WhatsApp. Better to make them verify encryption keys with each other. And set group to auto delete messages after 30 days.
We hate what’s app because of all the metadata leakage. But it’s metadata of your family being a family. “They” already know you are a family.
If you can cinch the win though, then get them onto signal. If not, harden WhatsApp for the whole group by showing them how to use settings.
Wrong, WhatsApp bans us verifying it. We do not control it, anti-libre software. Do not fall for their blantant scam, lmao.
OP mentions that his family already uses WhatsApp. It’s a far bigger jump from Skypes encryption. I’m telling them to not be discouraged because they’ve already gotten pretty far.
I don’t think their normie family is going to be dragged any further than corporate end-end encryption, with dedicated servers in every country. But I like being pleasantly surprised.
And frankly, no government is going to be able to hack meeting up with your family for a face to face talk of sensitive info.
wire
Hello,
You could give a look at simplex (https://simplex.chat/) ; it seems to be a possible alternative to signal, mostly focus on protecting user’s privacy. Yet in my experience it doesn’t allow (yet?) a call between multiple devices simultaneously.
An other alternative would be to use xmpp protocol using a jabber like server and apps. The advantage being that there is a lot of servers and even more apps, and that not every family members need to use the same… but if you are the one going to help them install, setup and upkeep, you may see mulyiplicity as a down side.
Signal should work, at least through my experience. It would also serve as a chat and stories alternative.
