Privacy @lemmy.ml bpt11 @sh.itjust.works 3h ago

how do you guys use privacy focused messaging alternatives like Signal or Matrix?

I can’t use them because I can’t convince anybody to switch with me. I talk to most people on discord and I’d rather move to using Matrix, but I can’t convince any of my friends or family or anyone I know to use anything else.

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I bought everyone in my family a drink to get them to use Signal. Worked great and we're still on it.

Don't bother trying to sell people on privacy etc, for the most part. Show them Giphy integration, stickers, Stories, etc and show them that it's fun. Signal has done great work there, in making it "noob-friendly"
We use it at work, or rather I use it to text people at work I like.

Working with info sec people helps. But I explained it and had them read about it and we all got on board.

All you really can do is explain that text (sms) isn’t secure and that Signal is. And let people know you want to use it. But yes I wouldn’t try and force it that generally just annoys people.
https://lemmy.world/post/21620691

https://lemmy.world/post/20950542

Never say privacy, say (anti-)libre software.

Never tell anyone anything, make them ask you.

Make others really want to talk with you!
- How is anti-libre any better lol, that’s more obscure
  
  Is your way working? If you want others calling you paranoid, don't let me stop you.
I just told everybody that I only reply on Threema and don't use anything else.

My thought process was - if they can't be arsed to use another app (which is an extremely effortless task to do) then they are probably not worth staying in contact with.

The 3 people that were most important in my life at that point got the app immediately.

After over a decade with threema I now have over 40 contacts there, mostly friends, some colleagues, multiple hobby centric groups etc.

I guess just start and don't compromise and be patient
- I just told everybody that I only reply on Threema
  
  if they can't be arsed to use another app (which is an extremely effortless task to do) then they are probably not worth staying in contact with
  
  So if someone said you have to use their messagee of choice - Signal, Whatsapp, Matrix, FB Messager, Discord - you'd have no problem meeting them there because it's effortless, yeah?
- Me too. My Fam is on Signal now.
- This is pretty much exactly what I did. I said I will be using signal, and if you want to stay in contact with me, that's how you will do it, because I will not reply to anything else.
  
  Same. Works perfectly with family
it takes some time but people get on signal when you explain it's advantages over whatsApp.

i had only one contact on signal when i started using it. Now almost all my contacts are on it.

it helps if people care about you and rather die than write an email 🙃
Signal is my preference. I am not going to go around proselytizing to people about it, though. I typically respond and use text as readily. It's not my job change people. I just change what I'm willing to say openly on anyother platform.
Its hard to move people from discord a lot of the matrix uis arent good enough yet.

Wirg signal i simply dont respond on other services for 2 days but respond instantly on signal. And make sure everyone knows it. I also have a weekly bbq and the invite goes in the signal group chat and the signal group chat alone.

Once u get enough people everyone else moves cos of fomo.
- As much as I expect the down votes.... But this is why I like beeper. It's a good catch all for unsavvy folk. Easier login with having other major chatting apps. (Self hosting is available and self hosted bridges are on dock this year...)
I only have a few privacy-focused friends on Signal and Matrix and I talk to them that way. I have a few friends who use my personal Nextcloud and just use Nextcloud Talk to chat with me. For all others, I still use the mainstream platforms and just take care to not post any info that I don't want public and I make sure the apps have limited info and app permissions.

I think it is tough to convince others to switch until they themselves see the need, at which point they'll start asking you for advice on what to do.

With new contacts, I'll usually ask if they have Signal first and if they don't then I don't really push it. I think just getting the name out there every once in a while is the most you can do.

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