Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

Features / usability over perceived improvements to privacy / security.

If you had actually used both, it would be clear why people use Telegram over Signal.

Signal doesn't even have a desktop client for any OS!




> Signal doesn't even have a desktop client for any OS!

[1] https://whispersystems.org/blog/signal-desktop/


> Signal Desktop is a Chrome app

So yeah, the statement from parent still stands.


So this argument is just a technicality. Please understand a little more about the background:

There is basically one person writing the app[1], and given the company has just a few[2] people _volunteering_[3] for them, you cannot expect them to release a large amount of code across so many devices. They prioritized the highest volume first.

Open Whisper Systems primarily develops a strong encryption protocol (Moxie's efforts). If you didn't realize, this protocol was adopted by WhatsApp[4] and also Facebook Messenger[5]. So, the developers of those other applications needn't spend time/resources on the encryption, but can release Desktop clients for people like yourself to enjoy.

People who use Signal trust Moxie. People who dislike Signal _may_ care more about features than the security properties of the software (note, WhatsApp doesn't open-source their software[6], and Telegram instead bets people cannot break their encryption[7]).

Also, their app will supposedly run on any OS that Chrome runs. I'm sure that was the intention.

[1] https://github.com/WhisperSystems/Signal-Desktop/commits/mas...

[2] https://whispersystems.org/#team

[3] https://whispersystems.org/workworkwork/

[4] https://www.whatsapp.com/security/WhatsApp-Security-Whitepap...

[5] https://whispersystems.org/blog/facebook-messenger/

[6] https://www.whatsapp.com/opensource/

[7] https://telegram.org/blog/cryptocontest


The line between desktop and web apps is becoming more and more blurred these days, so this seems like an inconsequential argument.


It's not even a web app. It's a CHROME app. A web app would be accessible via any browser. But nice to see the Google propaganda working.




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: