> Switching platforms is a pain, and getting your friends to do it is even harder. I think the advantages are worth the pain in this case, but the pain is real. So make it easier and start small: find one friend who’s willing to experiment. Sign up together for Signal or Telegram, and take it for a spin. And go from there.
This is THE problem. The pros, cons and analysis of every alternative messaging service is fine but the simple fact remains that the vast majority of people will not switch because they have no problem with their current setup. The article takes the benefits of privacy and security as a given (and for an HN audience I think it's appropriate to) but experience shows that most people don't care. Getting them to care is the key here.