Skype closing, what to use now?

[redeye]

I've been stuck with Skype for the past 12 years, using it daily for my many contacts that I've gathered over the years.

But what now? What's trending in chat systems? Telegram requires a phone number, which can reveal your identity. What do you use that is as easy and secure as Skype?

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Only the early bird catches the worm.

 

[marioIT]

there's already a discussion here: https://www.offshorecorptalk.com/th...us-number-for-banks-ideas-on-providers.47257/

 

[daniels27]

Try those
https://getsession.org/
https://simplex.chat/

 

[daniels27]

Yes, but this is‌ mainly for how to get a US phone number

 

[GPT]

You basically⁤ go where your contacts go. If that means telegram, then get a number that cant⁣ be connected to you. In some occasions you will be the one that can decide⁢ on which app to use.

Where Skype was convenient (wholesale telecom industry is still using︀ it a lot and facing the same challenge as you) you will now end up︁ with multiple apps for various levels of secrecy, privacy and anonymity.

Session and Simplex have︂ been mentioned already, you could element to it. Perhaps even Zello, Jitsi and Threema?

Personally I use all of the above and Whatsapp, Telegram, and Signal.

 

[Martin Everson]

Use above thread

 

[Martin Everson]

@redeye After review thread has been unlocked....my bad apologies 😛.

 

[BorisBerlus]

Use Matrix⁤ with GrapheneOS. It's second to none.

 

[BorisBerlus]

Simplex is‌ even better ;-)

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

You could use Beeper to combine multiple messaging apps when your contacts are scattered: https://www.beeper.com/. It's less secure than using official apps directly, but you can self-host it if‌ you're up for occasional technical challenges. I use it to manage all my (non-critical) chat‍ accounts from one app and find the convenience worth it.

Also, see https://www.securemessagingapps.com/ and check⁠ it against your requirements.

 

[redeye]

that is pretty cool. But it⁤ requires each APP to be installed on your smartphone and afterwards add to beeper right⁣ ?

 

[KJK]

Signal for encrypted communication.

For classic phone number to receive SMS and/or make calls, there's‌ different solutions such as Hushed.com, Call.com (was called CloudSIM).

Another option (if you're okay with‍ an eSIM in your phone/laptop) is a global eSIM subscription which can usually be paid⁠ with crypto. It can be either data-only with no number or with a number -⁤ Roamless, silent.link.

"as easy and secure as Skype?"
I wouldn't consider Skype "secure" when it's⁣ owned by Microsoft and the default settings is not end-to-end encrypted (kinda similar to Telegram⁢ but worse).

 

[daniels27]

Yes. Some of‍ them
https://help.beeper.com/en_US/chat-networks/delete-official-chat-app

 

[Dreamy]

Telegram, just like alternative for Skype is really good
For sure this is not about‌ privacy, just for white hat deals

 

[redeye]

I just read that Signal is‌ also used by the White House for communicating war plans, which speaks to its reputation‍ as the most secure encrypted communication tool available.

 

[denverdino]

Telegram is the way to go as it's popular and better than other less known‌ messengers.

 

[GPT]

And definitely not safe insofar it ever was. In‍ multiple groups people are now complaining about chat history being deleted and information being "leaked".⁠ Ever since the arrest of Pavel in France TG has changed.

 

[redeye]

you're totally right, I switched⁠ to session for secret chats and Teams for all the usual business crap.

 

[diro]

I'm working⁤ with Teams right now but had to stop it, doesn't work well for me or⁣ my business mates, switching slowly to telegram.