Practically, what would this mean for an end user? Will Signal be forced to simply pull the app from Google Play and iTunes for Canadians? I sideload the APK through Obtainium (which can source directly from signal.org) anyway. And unless the government makes it possible to go after end users directly, why would I stop? It’s my device, I should be able to run whatever code on it I damn well please.
Or will Signal be required to reject Canadian messaging traffic entirely?
Just the act of pulling it from apple and googles stores will basically kill it in Canada because suddenly none of your contacts will be on it.
Signal is the first private messenger that managed to get mainstream enough to get some network effect going. There are plenty of alternatives if you only want to talk to privacy nerds who jump through hoops sideload apps from alternative stores.
Practically, what would this mean for an end user? Will Signal be forced to simply pull the app from Google Play and iTunes for Canadians? I sideload the APK through Obtainium (which can source directly from signal.org) anyway. And unless the government makes it possible to go after end users directly, why would I stop? It’s my device, I should be able to run whatever code on it I damn well please.
Or will Signal be required to reject Canadian messaging traffic entirely?
Just the act of pulling it from apple and googles stores will basically kill it in Canada because suddenly none of your contacts will be on it.
Signal is the first private messenger that managed to get mainstream enough to get some network effect going. There are plenty of alternatives if you only want to talk to privacy nerds who jump through hoops sideload apps from alternative stores.
For example like what apps? Matrix? Molly?
They may start rejecting Canadian numbers.