On: Facebook denies it collects call and SMS data from...

[antoineMoPa]

Is signal decentralized? If it is decentralized, how is the network effect built? (Is everyone isolated on their server with a subset of all signal users, or is there a way to communicate with someone using another signal sever?).

[srslack → antoineMoPa]

It can be federated (and was in the past) but Moxie has complained about federation holding development back.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_(software)#Federation

[sridca → srslack]

> It is unlikely that we will ever federate with any servers outside of our control again, it makes changes really difficult. https://github.com/LibreSignal/LibreSignal/issues/37#issueco...

So doesn't that mean a single party will control Signal? What prevents them from becoming the next Facebook?

[jboynyc → antoineMoPa]

It is not decentralized. All Signal users can communicate with all others.