@friend @sneak this.

The ToS doesn't allow clients not branded as "Signal" to connect to OpenWhispers servers, and OpenWhisper Systems doesn't allow forks to use the "Signal" branding.

Yes, it's not an issue with the GPL, that doesn't change that it's an issue with OpenWhisper Systems/Moxie.

@sp1rit @friend The ToS is an issue between Signal and the *user* of such a fork.

I don't know if services are legally permitted to dictate *how* users of the service can connect to it. In any case, there is precisely zero from stopping a software developer from publishing a non-Signal-branded fork of Signal that connects to Signal servers.

Signal would have to take that issue up with the users that are using that nonbranded fork to connect. I don't think they would.

@sp1rit @friend i'm not a lawyer but i'm not sure that there is any legal distinction between an authorized user of the Signal online service using the Signal-branded GPL client and a non-Signal-branded fork client.

technically, if the fork doesn't diverge much, it wouldn't even be possible for Signal to know you're using a fork.

@sp1rit @friend I just read the Signal service ToS and nowhere does it say you are restricted to using Signal-branded client software.

Even if they amended it to do so, there is no technical grounds for enforcement, and while I am not a lawyer, I don't think there is much in the way of legal grounds either.

@sp1rit @friend one interesting part of the Signal ToS however is that you consent to permit them RCE on your client machines:

"Software. In order to enable new features and enhanced functionality, you consent to downloading and installing updates to our Services."

@sneak @friend

> I just read the Signal service ToS and nowhere does it say you are restricted to using Signal-branded client software.

Interesting. I've read that in Drew DeVaults "Why I don't trust Signal" (drewdevault.com/2018/08/08/Sig)

> Moxie forbids you from distributing branded builds of the Signal app, and if you rebrand he forbids you from using the official Open Whisper servers.

Follow

@sp1rit @friend
sircmpwn has an axe to grind against signal, and spreading FUD about it because he doesn't personally like it is his own issue. facts are facts.

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