Re:TDLib – Build Your Own Telegram Client
by codedokode on Thursday February 01, 2018 @04:10PM
(#16285926)
It requires you to provide a phone number (read disclose your identity) to use it. And its homepage has the word "privacy" repeated several times. It looks like a poor joke.
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You can easily use a VoIP number to set up Signal if that's really an issue for you.
The alternative (using Telegram's homegrown and dubious cryptography and lack of actually encrypted group messages) is significantly worse. Here's a nice summary of the issues: https://security.stackexchange.com/a/49802/43733
Re:TDLib – Build Your Own Telegram Client
by ShabbosGoy on Thursday February 01, 2018 @06:59PM
(#16287116)
VoIP is easily traceable too. Pay with a credit card for the number? Use Google Voice? Bam, they’ve got you.
Re:TDLib – Build Your Own Telegram Client
by codedokode on Thursday February 01, 2018 @06:42PM
(#16287024)
Telegram also requires a phone number so it is not any better than Signal. Regarding cryptography, anything is good as long as three-letter agencies cannot break it.
Re:TDLib – Build Your Own Telegram Client
by mashedvikings on Thursday February 01, 2018 @06:00PM
(#16286780)
Yet the developer is world famous for his security work, not for something like inventing Facebook for Russians. Are you sure you can handle 100% anonymous connection to servers of apps that could at any time identify you based on your IP?
Re:TDLib – Build Your Own Telegram Client
by codedokode on Thursday February 01, 2018 @06:36PM
(#16286987)
I am not trying to discuss who is the developer, I just wanted to say that you cannot require a phone number and talk about privacy at the same time. Phone number discloses your location and identity.
IP address is much easier to hide, for example by using a VPN.