I only have it because the neighborhood group chat uses it. I can’t convince hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds to switch to Signal unfortunately. Some of them barely know how to use a smartphone.
Beeper is a matrix bridge packaged for user-friendliness. It also includes SMS/RCS, which is handled natively and does not use bridging.
For how I use it, it isn’t much of a concern. I use mine for SMS/RCS, Discord, and native Matrix. Discord is already poor on the privacy front, and I trust the Beeper app more than the actual Discord app.
Matrix bridging does add a step to comms (going between the Matrix network and whatever other network) that some have expressed concern over. From my own research, and the general consensus over on the numerous Reddit posts, while it is true that it adds a step to the process this doesn’t involve any unusual vulnerabilities. The app itself seems secure and does not display old/previous messages on unauthenticated logins. I.e. you have to log in and then verify the session either by linking to another verified session or using a recovery key.
If you have a messaging platform that you have selected specifically because of its superior privacy features, this is one of those “do your own research” moments. You may wish to stick to the native app rather than running it through Beeper. Alternately, you can self-host the Beeper bridging, though that is a little beyond my skill level and wouldn’t benefit me.
Thanks for the info. Whatsapp is a pretty low bar so anything else would be better at this point lol. Given I only use it for one specific purpose (neighborhood group chat), I’m inclined to try Beeper out.
Try and give them a hand with it. The app has a very low cognitive load and a very simplified UI. Once you set it, its easy to forget its any different. I reminded the older folks in my circle that they could look at it as a guaranteed way to speak to family, and regular texts are more of the spam that come through
I only have it because the neighborhood group chat uses it. I can’t convince hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds to switch to Signal unfortunately. Some of them barely know how to use a smartphone.
You could use Beeper to connect to Whatsapp messages (messaging only, no calls).
I refuse to put the Discord app on my phone and use Beeper for it instead.
Thanks for the recommendation. Is Beeper trustworthy on the privacy front?
Beeper is a matrix bridge packaged for user-friendliness. It also includes SMS/RCS, which is handled natively and does not use bridging.
For how I use it, it isn’t much of a concern. I use mine for SMS/RCS, Discord, and native Matrix. Discord is already poor on the privacy front, and I trust the Beeper app more than the actual Discord app.
Matrix bridging does add a step to comms (going between the Matrix network and whatever other network) that some have expressed concern over. From my own research, and the general consensus over on the numerous Reddit posts, while it is true that it adds a step to the process this doesn’t involve any unusual vulnerabilities. The app itself seems secure and does not display old/previous messages on unauthenticated logins. I.e. you have to log in and then verify the session either by linking to another verified session or using a recovery key.
If you have a messaging platform that you have selected specifically because of its superior privacy features, this is one of those “do your own research” moments. You may wish to stick to the native app rather than running it through Beeper. Alternately, you can self-host the Beeper bridging, though that is a little beyond my skill level and wouldn’t benefit me.
Thanks for the info. Whatsapp is a pretty low bar so anything else would be better at this point lol. Given I only use it for one specific purpose (neighborhood group chat), I’m inclined to try Beeper out.
The selling point is unlimited video chat, unlike free zoom.
We used to say the same thing about Messenger.
Try and give them a hand with it. The app has a very low cognitive load and a very simplified UI. Once you set it, its easy to forget its any different. I reminded the older folks in my circle that they could look at it as a guaranteed way to speak to family, and regular texts are more of the spam that come through
All you really need is to get a few people on board