Signal is developing a standalone desktop app without requiring a smartphone for setup or use, based on recent open-source code changes.

[knoppix95@mastodon.social]

Signal is developing a standalone desktop app without requiring a smartphone for setup or use, based on recent open-source code changes. ️
The update adds more desktop controls while keeping end-to-end encryption, improving device independence with a privacy-first design.

@signalapp

https://aboutsignal.com/news/signal-desktop-without-a-mobile-phone-standalone-version-in-development/

#TechNews #Signal #Messaging #Privacy #E2EE #Encryption #EndToEndEncryption #OpenSource #FOSS #Cybersecurity #Security #Data #Internet #Freedom #Software #Tech #Communication

[purplegengar@mastodon.social]

@knoppix95 good news.

[davep@infosec.exchange]

@knoppix95 @signalapp
It's a shame they still need to couple it to a telephone, but maybe getting rid of that dependency is in the pipeline.

[km@mastodon.babb.no]

@knoppix95 @signalapp oh, this is great!

[nullenvk@yourwalls.today]

@knoppix95 @signalapp Hell yeah, finally!

[mdione@en.osm.town]

@knoppix95 @signalapp

Edit:

> To register on Signal Desktop, a phone number will still be required

I still wonder why they need a phone number. At worst I could use a burner? What is so specific about phone numbers that you can't achieve with (disposable) email accounts?

Original: would that mean that I can "drop" my phone number based account and create an "anonymous" (email based?) one?

[yojimbo@masto.hackers.town]

@davep @knoppix95 @signalapp Well, the phone number is basically the username identifier, and for normal people, that's something they can understand.
Having a username/password/key system introduces a "forgot" problem that they've been able to avoid ... and that's been a good move for reducing complexity.
Of course it removes a feature at the same time, but it is what it is.

[sleepy62@social.vivaldi.net]

@knoppix95 @signalapp

Excellent news!