April 2026

Secure Messaging

*sponsored by DeleteMe​

"Signal Only" is Bad Advice

The prevailing privacy wisdom says that you need to migrate ALL of your communication over to Signal, Threema or some other app. But what if this is bad advice? What if you adopted a strategy to blend in and use apps and/or devices as a way to compartmentalize your communication? Here's what I mean:

​SECURE Messaging isn't what you think​

Go Deeper: There are some people who say that Signal isn't secure anymore and still others who say it just doesn't matter.

Still Secure? Has Signal's encryption been compromised? Here's the reality. ​Watch the video →​

Is it Pointless? Have you ever felt like privacy is just a lose-lose situation? You're not alone. ​Watch the video →​

It just LOOKS Suspicious

Hi [CORRECTED_NAME GOES HERE], I've crossed quite a few international borders over my life and one of the things I've learned is that in the eyes of any kind of law enforcement, extreme privacy looks, well...

...extremely suspicious.

If I am forced to unlock my phone (which has happened before) and all they see is Signal or Threema with disappearing messages, it's a big red flag.

I might be in the minority among privacy and security advocates, but part of my strategy is to intentionally not delete Facebook, stop using WhatsApp or completely decoupling from Google. I believe that sometimes the harder we try to be private, the more we actually stand out.

Obviously, I don't want all of these Big Tech companies to know everything about me, but I'd rather be strategic about how I use their services than to remove them altogether.

That's where my idea of compartmentalized communication comes from.

I explain the idea in today's video, which I think you'll enjoy. Perhaps you do something similar to this or maybe it'll be something new you want to try.

Either way, I'd be curious to hear how you handle the multiple messaging apps that everyone seems to use?

Privacy is your Right. ...but it isn't the default. Laws exist that allow you to maintain privacy, but it requires you to take action. For example, in order to remove your personal info off the internet, you need to actually make the requests. That's why I use and recommend DeleteMe to reclaim that right. Get 20% off NOW

This Week in Privacy News

​Do VPNs risk our Privacy?​

Six Democratic lawmakers have officially pressed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for answers. The core concern is whether Americans using commercial VPNs are being misclassified as foreigners under US surveillance law, potentially stripping them of their constitutional rights.

--> Techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/are-american-vpn-users-at-risk-of-warrantless-government-surveillance-lawmakers-now-demand-answers

​UK fines Reddit $20M for failing to protect children​

The UK is fining Reddit for not having a "robust age assurance mechanism". But is this really the best way to affect change?

--> ICO.org.uk/about-the-ico/media-centre/news-and-blogs/2026/02/reddit-issued-with-1447m-fine-for-children-s-privacy-failures/
​

​US Bans Foreign-Made Routers​

In an update on Monday to a list of equipment seen as not secure enough for use, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added all consumer-grade routers made outside the US.

It puts routers - which are used widely in homes and businesses to connect computers, phones, TVs and other devices to the internet - on a par with foreign-made drones, which were banned at the end of last year.

--> BBC.com/news/articles/c74787w149zo

Your Thoughts?

How do you use Signal or any other secure messaging within the ecosystem of other messaging apps? I'd be interested to hear from you.

Have a wonderful Easter celebration!

✌️

Josh

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3824 Cedar Springs Rd #801-8170, Dallas, TX 75219
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