Signal-Server VS TextSecure

> They could at least BSL the server code and allow others to verify the server code and host but not compete.

This is exactly what they do (except they use AGPL): https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server

https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server/blob/main/service/src/main/java/org/whispersystems/textsecuregcm/push/APNSender.java for APNs push notification payloads

I am trying to build and run signal server https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server

yes it is available here https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server/blob/main/service/pom.xml

You could also start your own signal server, but with blackjack, and hookers

The fact that it locks you into using their servers, does not distribute on F-Droid (only Google Play OR an APK with an insecure update mechanism), and has a completely closed-source "abusive message filter" module server side, that could functionally be used for censorship, storing messages for future decryption, or any other number of nefarious purposes - we have no idea since it's not open source (https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server/blob/main/.gitmod...).

Additionally, you cannot distribute branded forks or Signal, and if you do fork it, your fork is not allowed to connect to Signal's "official" OWS (open whisper systems) servers - hostility to federation should be viewed with prejudice and suspicion at the very least, it suggests a vested interest in a single point of failure (or control), which goes against user interests.

Further reading: https://drewdevault.com/2018/08/08/Signal.html

It’s actually the signal server that isn’t reproducible because of the abusive message filter that’s in a private repository. It’s clear as day here: https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Server

So phone numbers are not part of group metadata and can’t be accessed directly even if someone gets access to the groups server. However, because (as far as I know) the server still has a 1:1 mapping of UUID <-> phone number that it knows, then if the malicious actor has access to the main Signal server, they’d be able to access the phone numbers of members as well.

That article is almost 2 years old. Right now GitHub is being updated regularly. Latest update to their server code is from 5 days ago.

Moxie's reasons for disallowing Signal distribution via F-droid always rang a little flat to me ( https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/issues/127 ). Lots of chatter about the supposedly superior security model of Google Play Store, and as a result fewer eyes independently building and testing the Signal code base. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but independent and reproducible builds seem like a net positive for everyone. Always struggled to understand releasing code as open source without taking advantage of the community's willingness to build and test. Looking at it in a new light after the XZ backdoor, and Jia Tan's interactions with other FOSS folk.

https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/issues/7409

> We've discussed at length why this is not possible, but if you have more thoughts then please visit the forums. Please try not to open duplicate issues in the future, even if you feel like something is important.

I wonder why this is "not possible"

Signal has documentation on how to reproduce their Play Store builds and compare them with what you've installed locally:

https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/blob/main/reprod...

There's nothing on Signal blog as of yet, but Signal's git repository was tagged with v7.0.0 yesterday and we can see from the commit history since the previously tagged version (v6.74.4) that there will be a setting to hide one's phone number [1], as well as disabling the previous default behavior of advertising that one is on Signal to all their contacts already using it [2].

[1] https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/commit/8797236b5... (PNP stands for "Phone Number Privacy")

[2] https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/commit/6097e6c30...

Signal works the same but without the user tracking from Meta/Facebook. Many people use it as well but I'm surprised that a majority sticks to WhatsApp.

Telegram and Signal solve this.