Signal is the No. 1 downloaded app in the Netherlands. But why?

Why? Because the Dutch national broadcasters keep plugging it as an alternative to Whatsapp.

Aside... Two apps keep getting mentioned as alternatives, Signal and Element/Matrix, but in MHRO both are not viable as replacements.

Signal: still a US app, CIA funded, provides their encryption backbone to Whatsapp, recommended by governments & FBI. Matrix/Element: Developed in Israel, with ties to IDF, preferred by NATO (NI2CE)

A lot of VPN servers in Netherlands may have something to do with it.....

My dad just said in the WhatsApp group, why not move to signal. I tried moving friends and family before, but now that there has been anti meta media reports in some news sources. But especially reports on signal in almost every major newspaper and news source.

It seems not only a push because of privacy, but even more a anti big tech(especially us tech) and buy/use eu stuff push.

I don't mind the push I'm just curious if people stay on signal. Previous time there was a push to signal (during whatsapp technical difficulties and privacy push) people quickly want back to whatsapp.

Now my volunteer work, 1 friend and a family chat already moved to signal. The only thing I did was some explaining that you can just send images and so on. (That it's not something scary)

Let's hope they'll be able to continue to use it. It (and all other messengers with proper E2EE) is already on track to be outlawed in Sweden and France, and the new government in Germany will be pro mass-surveillance, too.

I guess this means we're not switching to RCS then?

I would have rather seen Element but hey, it's a step in the right direction.

I use Telegram, like betamax have I backed the wrong horse?

Fuck signal. No "privacy" focused messenger should need a phone number to register...at that point u basically handing the agencys meta data on a platter