Ok. Cool.
But without a way to have private, encrypted chats, Telegram becomes 100% useless for serious communication.
Hello, Signal.
Signal depends on servers from both or either Amazon and Google. Signal also requires your phone number.
Hello, XMPP.
The phone number thing can be an issue for some, true.
Still, Signal chats are encrypted. No easy way to access them.
XMPP is a bit of a mixed bag. it is decentralized, so there is no single point of control. One has more control over the communications infrastructure. However, the level of privacy can vary depending on the server and client used. Some XMPP clients support encryption.
Adoption is also an issue. XMPP is not as widely used as Signal. I’d say it maintains a steady presence among privacy enthusiasts and certain niche communities, but doesn’t find appeal among the general public.
Signal is gaining considerable traction. That makes it a real contender for private communication.
That said, I use both. 🙂 In average, I find myself using Signal more, because there’s just more people on it.
Oh, and I use Telegram for non-crucial chats. Never for confidetial information, though.