[nottorp]

Whatsapp can be configured to not save all the cat photos and memes to your library by default. You can still save the really good memes yourself if you want. Signal should just copy that feature.

Also, what good is secure encryption if i have to give out my phone number?

[tialaramex]

> Also, what good is secure encryption if i have to give out my phone number?

Actually how could you possibly deliver secure messaging if it doesn't work with simple identifiers you already have like your phone number? Everything should be secure, that's Signal's thesis.

This reminds me of the people who were convinced HTTPS should only be used for "important" stuff that "needs to be secure" like banking and so it's wrong to have HTTPS on your blog, or news site, or whatever.

[nottorp]

> Actually how could you possibly deliver secure messaging if it doesn't work with simple identifiers you already have like your phone number? Everything should be secure, that's Signal's thesis.

It's tying my Signal identity to my phone number. To speak in US terms, you're safe from your comms being intercepted by the KGB, but now you're a person of interest to the CIA :)