I’d like to be able to chat from an Android phone without a SIM card.
Edit: Since several people have mentioned it, I’m including this note at the top. There are security issues with using a temporary number to register even if it is not needed to maintain the account. Anyone can gain access to the number and use it for account recovery, etc. I’m not an infosec person at all, but this seems pretty obviously bad. Some services will work fine with a landline or other permanent phone number, as long as you retain private access to the number.
Matrix.
I don’t know how private/secure it really is, but Teleguard doesn’t require a phone number.
I’d really like to see some research into them, though, to know how good/bad it is.
I don’t know where to even start.
Alternative: XMPP has been around for 25+ years, can be self-hosted, there’s numerous solutions available.
https://jami.net/ has an android app
Side note but I was literally just thinking the other day that the accelerated rise of corruption and right-wing pivot of the globe also coincides with encrypted / anonymous communications. Mobsters and state actors must be having an absolute field day this past decade.
If the Epstein files have proven anything, it’s that these idiots use plain text email.
SimpleX chat does video calls.
Thanks, I’m going to check this out. Seems pretty straightforward which is good for the family to use
Jitsi
isn’t that all google code?
Is it? I had no idea that was a potential accusation.
Edit: just did a quick search and found nothing indicating Jitsi is Google.
8x8 collects and gives to google https://jitsi.org/meet-jit-si-privacy/
and
the usage of the free meet.jit.si service, is not free of tracking, requires authentication at either Google, GitHub, or Facebook and is hosted at AWS which is not considered GDPR-compliant.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jitsi
matrix is much better.
Oh thanks!!!
With Jitsi you can also self-host the server-side components if that’s your thing: https://jitsi.github.io/handbook/docs/devops-guide
From all of us who donate to FSF.org To the world
A Free-as-in-speech-and-beer solution
Happy Newton’s birthday
You can use element for that, just don’t use a matrix.org account.
Why not matrix?
matrix.org is one instance, the biggest one. Guessing they require a phone number.
It does not appear to require a phone number. It even looks like an email address is optional.
Ah ok. I haven’t used matrix in a while, but it didn’t require a phone then (several years ago), so I thought they were saying not to use matrix in general.
If you feel like setting up a stun/turn server it’s possible to set up your own using something like xmpp or next cloud talk. Works for individual accounts with friends if not a plug and go app.
I have an ejabberd server setup for my family for this reason. Using the Conversations app off F-Droid and Gajim on desktops
GNU Jami though I had trouble getting it to work reliably, and you have to install an app. YMMV.
Jitsi is decent, especially if you don’t mind using their server meet.jit.si (may have changed by now). It uses WebRTC (i.e. you can use it with just a browser) which I think is preferable to a mobile app.
I think there will inherently be some lag if you’re using a mobile phone at the client side, because of all the codecs, wifi latency etc.
This shouldn’t be that hard a technical problem especially if you’re ok with audio-only. I don’t know why the existing programs all have probs in some areas. Jitsi is nice to use but a pain to self-host from what I can tell.
I have a self-hosted nextcloud that has a video chat feature (Nextcloud Talk) but it’s not great.
I have been wanting to spend a chunk of time looking into the situation and finding a good answer, or at least identifying the trade-offs clearly.
self hosted matrix instance here
Threema
It’s around $5 for the app. No phone number needed. End-to-end encryption for chat and calls (audio/video). Desktop versions are in beta.
iOS and Android
This looks promising. I Like that it has group video as well. Thanks.
It looks like Session has video calls in beta.
Note that most services requiring a phone number for registration don’t actually require that phone number to be connected to a SIM card in the device you’re using. That may be helpful depending on your use case.
Heres a cool new phone company that require no personal info Phreeli
Phreeli is overpriced and doesn’t actually grant much privacy despite their claims. Telecom providers can still have a field day with your location and sms/call data even if Phreeli isn’t collecting that themselves, which is also really just a pinky promise at this point. There are also competing services already which don’t require PII either but have more reasonable prices.
If you want a phone number just to sign up for signal or something just use jmp.chat smspool or mysudo depending on your needs.
This is good to know, thank you!
I’m also looking at https://www.cape.co/
