Removing SMS is the right move by Signal.
Some will criticise them, but SMS is an inherently insecure protocol. It doesn't belong in a private messenger.
It's part of a bigger problem: phone numbers are one of the greatest plagues on privacy. But people won't let go.
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The immediate reaction to Signal’s plan to remove SMS have been negative. For a lot of people having SMS makes Signal an all-in-one secure messaging app.
But SMS is no good. It's outdated and insecure. No technology that calls itself ‘private’ should rely on SMS.
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We can kick the can down the road and integrate SMS into our tech in the name of adoption, but it only serves to undermine—and potentially even jeopardise—people's privacy and security.
SMS isn't forever. More modern messaging standards will make it redundant.
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@session
I can't agree completely here.
It's a Global North point of view.
Areas like Africa rely heavily on SMS because connectivity is bad and/or expensive.
@RyunoKi @session This is why I am legitimately upset at the deprecation of #2G...it's cheaper, has better coverage, and probably has the bandwidth to cover messages like these.
Granted, I don't know much about cell coverage in #Africa, but generally speaking the deprecation of #2G and #3G have got me upset because it will create some dead zones, and complete exclude people who can't afford #4G or #5G from having internet at all.