Would providers consider using a privacy app like Threema?

There has been a marked increase in threats via phone calls and texts. These threats come from people representing themselves as cartel members and threatening hobbyists and their families with violence if they are not paid. They are advertising on various sites pretending to be providers and when a hobbyist responds to the phone number -- they are threatened a few hours later.

So, this is my question. Due to increased state surveillance of phone calls and texts and now these threats would providers consider offering a Threema handle as an option for booking?

For those who don't know -- Threema is an app from Switzerland that allows completely private and encrypted conversations. You don't have to provide any personal info to use the app and it generates a random ID something like "HJNEKSJ". Switzerland has the most rigid privacy laws in the world -- so that avoids the state surveillance -- and with no personal information anywhere in the app it completely takes the edge off threats.

I realize this means folks would need to come up with alternative ways to screen. That's the only thing I see as a hurdle. However, Threema does have encrypted video chat functionality so maybe that would be a good way to validate a potential new client?

Thoughts? Would y'all consider downloading Threema and offering that ID as an option for booking in your ads?

The hobby community is at least a decade behind in privacy tech and tactics. Unfortunately there is a divide where the ladies don't really listen to the men and vice versa. So it would be difficult to collectively make a change. There are also a lot of newbie hobbyists out there who can't follow basic instructions to respond to an ad using conventional tools like basic text messaging. So this may add an additional layer of complexity for some people.

What's even worse is that the surveillance tech of agencies that are against the hobby is getting stronger. Eventually it will reach a breaking point where we will have to switch to new tactics in order to continue. If people were willing to listen, someone could educate both sides on tactics and set a new standard.

You bring up the cartel calls... which we all know are a farce and don't mean anything...

Is there really a problem that needs solving here...?

A'Man

Maybe not for most. But I'll bet there are others who would prefer guaranteed privacy vs. the risks of using phone numbers (even burners point back to legit lines).

Just throwing it out there as a possible option if providers would want to offer that. That's the key I think -- they'll have to want to offer it.

What does Threema offer that Signal doesn't? I get real time Pentagon invasion plans on Signal!