Libre software doesn’t mean we control what other people do with their devices. Run it on your devices. The App Store and Google Play Store is not libre. Get it yourself. Apps should have reproducible builds. Everything there misses the point of my original comment.
I really don’t get why so many people are turning this into a privacy versus anonymity debate when the real problem is censorship.
Yes, Signal needs a phone number to sign up, but replacing that with an email or username doesn’t make it anonymous. The real issue is that governments are blocking the registration SMS, so people can’t even sign up for the app in the first place.
Sure, there are workarounds, but most people aren’t going to jump through all those extra hoops just to use an app. If we want to spread privacy, how do we do that when Signal's phone number requirement is actively working against us?
Instead of arguing over privacy versus anonymity, shouldn’t we focus on making sure everyone can access Signal without issues? What do you think?
Like this, I think letting irrelevant tech talk hijack the conversation makes privacy inaccessible. We need to call it what it is: a scam, abuse, and hijacking of our control.
I never once wrote ‘open source’. I was never writing about that.
Moreover, iMessage requires iOS or similar. Any operating system, iOS, has complete control over its apps, iMessage. iOS fails to include a libre software license text file.
The answer is very simple: iMessage fails to include a libre software license text file, which is the standard that ensures we can maintain control over the software we use. Without this, we’re banned from forking the app, meaning we’re unable to ensure it stays aligned with our privacy values. We need the freedom to fork the software to ensure it meets our needs, not just rely on buzzwords like encryption or P2P.
Without the ability to fork the code, we’re trapped in every decision of its owner. Non-libre software bans us from maintaining the control needed to ensure it meets our privacy standards.
I’ve been seeing this more and more in comments, and it’s got me wondering just how big this issue really is. A lot of people feel trapped in apps like Discord, WhatsApp, and Instagram, but can’t get their friends to leave.
It’s really annoying when you suggest trying something new, whether it’s a different app or just not using these platforms so much but sometimes it can feel like no one wants to go first.
So I’m curious, what apps do you feel most trapped in? And have you tried convincing your friends to leave them? What happened? Is it an issue for you, or are you just going along with the flow?
Looking forward to hearing if this is as common as it feels!
The stock ROM fails to include a libre software license text file. We do not control it, dangerous. LineageOS helps reduce harm but the best option is to get a new phone.
Privacy is multiplayer. So, we must spread it.
To do well, we must fight efficiently.
We cannot waste our lives writing a custom essay against every troll, disinformer and psyop agent.
Short, simple and focused response is vital.
Here is what works for me:
---
1. > I do not care about privacy
- Agreed. We do not **control** X, **scam**. Why should we let it **abuse** us?
- Agreed. X is not libre software, we do not control it, scam. Why should we let it abuse us?
- Agreed. X fails to include a libre software license text file, we do not control it, scam. Why should we let it abuse us?
2. > Open source ...
- 'Open source' misses the point of libre software, by design.
- 'Open source' is a blatantly backdoored phrase, engineered to neutralise libre software.
3. > Developers [owners] [of anti-libre software] need [to make money] to eat.
- You are not entitled to infect our devices and hijack control over our computing.
- Selling libre software is good.
4. > You must read all its source code to guarantee it is safe.
- Blatant lie, who told you to do it alone? lmao
- When it bans us from forking it, we do not control it, guaranteed. lmao
5. > Crypto [currency] ...
- Truth nuke, the biggest scam ever made is the $
- Cash will never be more safe [or private] than 12 words in my head (wallet seed phrase).
Example, WhatsApp, use the **whole 25 character** profile name **limit**:
```
Bob Moved To Signal.org
Alice MovedTo Signal.org
CharlieMovedTo Signal.org
```
Say Signal.org, not Signal, so they see it is an app.
Use your about section too.
Same on Discord, Steam, Instagram, everywhere.
watomatic.app
**Example**
```
🤖 Automated Reply
💬 I reply faster on example.org
⁉️ WhatsApp is anti-libre software. We do NOT control it. It withholds a libre software license text file, like GPL.
```
**Explained**
> I reply faster on
Deleting the only way to reach someone online breaks your influence.
> example.org
A link and only one link, so (1) they see it's an app, not some random word or typo, (2) they can download it without searching, and (3) they don't have multiple choice–they don't need to do any thinking or research. Remove everything stopping them.
> anti-libre software.
Never say privacy, they've heard it all before (from you, no doubt). Say something different.
> We do NOT control it.
Make it simple and direct. Think of the most *removed* person you know and break it down in a way they would understand. Think about every angle it could be misunderstood.
> It withholds
Libre software is normal, default. Anti-libre software is cringe, weird, dangerous. Act like it. Also, humans care less about getting and more about losing stuff.
> libre software license **text file**
Show them what to check for, for themselves, easily, obvious. Later, show them how to spread these ideas. Then, show them how to show others how to spread these ideas, make more of you.
> GPL
A keyword for them to web search for more, with better results than more complex terms like AGPL or misleading terms like 'open source'.
Don't waste a word.
Lastly, make yourself someone everyone wants to talk to.
For example, on WhatsApp, use the whole 25 character limit for profile name. Examples:
```
Bob Moved To Signal.org
Alice MovedTo Signal.org
CharlieMovedTo Signal.org
```
Say Signal.org, not Signal, because they won't know it's an app.
Use your about section too. Same on Discord, Steam, Instagram, etc.
**Not just locally on the device!** There must be an error when calling or texting the number.
Data must work for internet for Signal, VoIP, etc.
This is for a UK PAYG SIM.
There should be no way for anyone to demand my number, or for me to leak it, or doing so should be irrelevant as it does not work.
**Need at least the camera, if not that plus a microphone and speakers**, not the lock or bell.
Libre Software (Obviously) + End-to-End Encryption
Small and easy to hide, so the camera isn't stolen, attacked or bypassed.
[Best answer yet](https://lemmy.today/comment/11113163)
Wrong, product owner ethics is a scam. We can only escape when we users control our software, libre software.