Has anyone heard of Convene? It seems like a viable competitor to Signal and addresses some of the problems such as the difficulties using multiple devices and the requirement of a phone number. It seems like to sign up for Convene, I have to send them an email? I did send them an email and never heard back from them though. Also, no app to install would be amazing if everything is done via the web browser.
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Never heard of this until now. They are from the Guardian Project which built Orbot so I am inclined to trust the organization behind it. However, this app appears to be brand new, in alpha or beta seeing how you have to request access. And they are also nowhere near FOSS from what I can tell. So I would not call this a viable Signal alternative. Also, they have not updated this page Secure communications for your communities in 2.5 years.
I’m sure we’ll hear about it when it is fully released as a proper product for all to use and then we can compare and analyze it with other gold standards.
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I sent them an email and haven’t heard back as I would love to test it. Signal isn’t a good solution as I cross the US border often. Hiding or deleting the Signal app isn’t practical. Having a web version of Signal would be much better and ideally without the use of a phone number. I just wish someone would make such an app or Signal do something like that.
Do they always check your device? Do you have to hand over your phone? If not, then you can keep using Signal without issues. Also, even if you use Signal, they should not be able to get into your messages if you keep your OS and apps updated.
JG, may I ask where you live? I don’t have control over whether my phone gets checked or not. It’s up to the border agent. Non-US citizens don’t have the right to enter the US even if they have a valid visa. If the border agent asks to see the phone, you have to unlock your phone and give it to them or else they will deny you entry and deport you. You’ll also be banned from entering the US for at least 5 years.
I’d rather not share where I live. But since you cross often, I’m guessing it’s the Vancouver, Detroit, or Niagara Falls border for you?
I understand you don’t have any control. I used to travel to the US a lot before and used to live there too.
I didn’t know they became this strict with it. Sad.
The only thing I can think of is, while you may be forced to give your unlocked device to the border agent. You don’t have to unlock your Signal app.
I don’t know where you got the impression that I live in Canada? The US has two land borders; Canada and Mexico. However, this also applies to air travel. When you fly from say, London or Hong Kong, to the US, you don’t go through US pre-clearance over there. As a result, you clear immigration after you arrive in the US. It is when you present your passport to the border agent that they will ask whatever questions they want. Foreigners have little to no rights at the border and this includes the airport. This has been widely reported in the media. The Canadian, Australian, UK, and German governments have all issued travel advisories for their citizens reiterating what I have stated. They also can’t help their citizens to enter the US as it is the US’s right to decide who they will let in. So if you’re not an American citizen and you refuse to unlock your phone if requested, you will immediately be detained for further questioning and your phone may be seized. If they believe you have committed a crime, you can be held until they have completed their investigation. Then you’ll be put on the next flight back to your home country.
Unfortunately not. If they want to see what is in your Signal message history, you will have to comply or it’s almost all but certain you will be denied entry and deported.
Oh, I was just guessing. These three borders see the most crossings. It was pure conjecture and I could be wrong.
I see. Yeah, I knew that.
If you travel from London, UK. The best option is to travel from the London City airport where you get your immigration done before boarding so you land in the US as a domestic flight. The same applies if you ever travel to the US from Abu Dhabi. And a few other cities have this special tie with the US where immigration occurs before you fly so you land as a domestic flight where you can simply walk out.
The only solution to this I can think of is to delete all your messages before traveling.
There is no perfect solution for this.
Flying out of London, the most convenient airport in terms of routes is Heathrow and there is no pre-clearance there. Having said that, deleting your message history but having the Signal app may cause the agent to be suspicious and ask further questions. It just makes the situation worse. That’s why the topic of a burner phone has come up in the last couple of months. The bottom line is that if you want to go to the US, you will need to obey orders at the land, air, and sea borders. Saying no is practically a guarantee of deportation and a minimum 5-year ban from re-entering the US. Your denied entry and deportation will be on their system for life. That’s why this isn’t an issue to be taken lightly.
I was just suggesting potential solutions.
The only other and last solution I can think of is getting a Pixel with GrapehenOS installed. And setting up Signal in a different profile (not your main/owner profile). So in this case, even if you have to hand over your unlocked device, they won’t see the Signal app on your main profile unless the border agent is smart and they know about Grapehene and this feature the OS offers.
But yes, I heard you the first time. You’ve said several times about the denying entry and deportation issue.
That’s all I have to say on the matter.
I appreciate your effort to help. I think Google and Samsung have a similar feature on their phones too. It’s not unique to GOS, but you have to assume border agents aren’t aware of this. If they are and you arouse their suspicions, it’ll just lead to more trouble. Short of a web app version of Signal being developed, I’m starting to think a burner phone is the best way to travel with.
This is correct. A burner phone is the best option anytime you are traveling to another country period, not just the US. The best practice is to leave your main device at home and just take the burner.
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Still wanna know if Convene is ever going to be released and be a viable competitor to Signal.
Yeah, sorry, that’s something I couldn’t tell you. Maybe someone else will chime in.