In my experience, the bigger issue is folks just completely ignore OPSEC once they get on signal.

The centralized component is pretty concerning. Imagine if protests like in Iran earlier this year were to occur in the States. The Feds would immediately seize or DDOS those servers during nationwide unrest, before cutting the internet which is basically an inside out panopticon.

EOD it depends on your threat model. You’re probably not on Signal if your life depends on it anyway.

Plus, its always useful to not have my texts immediately read and sent to advertisers.

You dont have to give it your cell number.

https://theintercept.com/2017/09/28/signal-tutorial-second-phone-number/

https://theintercept.com/2024/07/16/signal-app-privacy-phone-number/

non-x link: https://nitter.net/infinite_jaz/status/2046569197652611530

Also sub to jasper nathaniel’s substack, he gives great English-Language coverage on the West-Bank: https://www.infinitejaz.com/

There are already private blockchains used between banks and states. XRP is basically an entire cryptocurrency made for that purpose. Pretty sure BRICS has already floated the idea about making their own currency for this purpose, and potentially on a blockchain, but I think they’re not ready to pull the trigger on ending the petrodollar for whatever reason.

Just made an account to reply to your comment.

Yeah, especially in Gaza, the paper currency began physically disintegrating during the genocide, so people started using Bank of Palestine, Paypal or Cryptocurrency (mostly USDT) to send funds electronically. Big issue is they tend to use Binance or other centralized exchanges, which then block and seize the funds or demand identification, which may be difficult if you’re displaced. Just had this happen to me when I sent a transfer to a family in Gaza.

Here are a couple of articles:

• https://jewishcurrents.org/cryptocurrency-comes-to-gaza
• https://english.almayadeen.net/news/Economy/gaza-donors-turn-to-crypto-to-overcome-financial-bans
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMn-VpMoRWo
• https://www.972mag.com/cash-brokers-crypto-gaza-economic-crisis/

I think a lot of westerners underestimate how useful crypto has been for countries like Palestine, Venezuela, or in Western Africa, where the local currency is export controlled or is tied to an oppressive surveillance/neo-colonial state. Its actually in widespread use, but the crypto community and devs seriously need to go back to being cypherpunks and emphasize privacy and autonomous decentralized finance, instead of just glazing the NASDAQ and SEC to pump their shitcoin.