I know for a fact If you use "signal" matrix or whatever "security" app, you will get branded a terrorist in India, your life will be upended and you will face a long list of problems.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ats-probes-use-of-...

https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/accused-da...

https://www.deccanherald.com/india/secure-messaging-apps-lik...

https://india-employmentnews.com/tech-category/delhi-blast-n...

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech-news/Dangerous-Sign...

And it doesn't matter you use a connected phone or not, they just get data from ISPs.

And yes, using a VPN will get you knocked up as well.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/12/indias-vpn-ban-in-k...

Yes that's bad but that's an Indian government problem, not a signal or other messenger app problem. And really, it sounds like there was a lot more going on with these people than just using a particular app. Discord and WhatsApp are mentioned too.

India also bans most satellite phones by the way. I have one so I looked into that as to not get caught out travelling.

And WhatsApp is E2EE with the same protocol so I don't see the big deal.

What if I use a VPN as a dude? Still gonna get knocked up?

[dead]