Post #1237457

2026-03-12 01:08 UTC

@shibacomputer @Mer__edith (edit to try to minimize distraction: apologies for derailing discussion a bit early on! Signal is a relatively small part of the writing, it's much broader. it was just literally a discussion point for me minutes before seeing this) ironically, I was just discussing Signal with my wife, and she refuses to install it ever since it spammed people who had her phone number in their contacts the moment she signed up, with no warning or option. and I don't blame her one bit. so many of those "it's good for the social graph" decisions are obviously dangerous and directly at odds with the other stated/advertised purpose of "the best option if your safety is at risk". and it put up such a fight to try to force you to sync contacts, for so long. wild, insane stuff, every step of the way. I'm still reading through, but wanted to say thanks for the attempts, and the write-up :blobfoxthumbsup:

Replies (4)

@adrienne@social.treehouse.systems 2026-03-12 06:30

@groxx @shibacomputer @Mer__edith I'm forced to use it for some stuff, these days, but i resisted installing it as long as i could because i have never forgiven and will never forgive it for that decision.

Open ##1237458
@dissident@mastodon.scot 2026-03-12 08:12

@groxx @shibacomputer @Mer__edith I wasn't aware that Signal was ever coded to spam users' contacts without asking first. Are you absolutely certain that your wife didn't accidentally approve this action?

Open ##1237470
@b0rn_dead@metalhead.club 2026-03-12 08:27

@groxx @shibacomputer @Mer__edith also. I've never heard of this supposed "spamming" behavior. I wish more people knew about signal but I'm glad they're not being spammed

Open ##1237480
@eq@mas.to 2026-03-13 13:24

@groxx Indeed, we talk about Signals phone number choice every week having friends with secret numbers being hunted by ex:es. And getting random "Your friend Xyz has signal!" even though Xyz does not have that number any more...

Open ##1649647