Feature: Blocking

[xanthine]

Blocking by user-specified phone number, via something like an email filter rule where the messages from the number are deleted upon receipt and no notification is given.

[DaveQB]

I like it +1

[generalmanager]

With the new data channel and groups this becomes even more interesting. We may not kick somebody from a group (#828), but we can ignore them (not show their messages) just fine. Or we mute the user/group for however long we like (#801)

[cowlicks]

👍 I desperately need this. Cyanogenmod contacts has a blacklist that will ignore texts. But it only works with the default text messaging application.

Unfortunately many people are harassed through text messages, and losing the ability to block numbers can be a deal breaker.

[Assisting]

Just to register interest in this feature request, a friend of mine is unable to use this app due to the text message harassment they receive.

[Giancarlos]

I also believe that the app should be allowed to block individual numbers.

[ghost]

+1

[ghost]

Hi,

I have a friend I don't want to receive anymore of her so many sms.

Any progress or planning on this issue ?

Thank you.

PM from France

[tinloaf]

There is a discussion going on about per-recipient notifications. These will in the long run also include the possibility to completely blacklist people.

[scrack26]

I receive too many spam sms. Would really like this blacklist feature. Thanks!

[Kixunil]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA256

I offer 0.015 BTC to anyone who first implements blacklist of senders in TextSecure Android application. Bonus 0.015 BTC if it will be able to move SMS from regexp matching numbers (except white-listed ones) to trash, without notification.

If you want to claim the bounty you MUST contact me BEFORE releasing any code.
This offer ends 1 January 2015 at 00:00. Or any other day which will be announced at least two weeks in advance.
I sign this message with my PGP key, so my reputation will go down in case I break the promise.

I know, it's not lot of money but I hope someone will join me and pledge too.
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Version: GnuPG v1.4.11 (GNU/Linux)

iF4EAREIAAYFAlPsumkACgkQPoLc2+pqnJQy4AD/cAjK2WrB7A5F7E+oZ7hQHIST
yzWqePzo12MekmEoe+4A/A7eNHE1qZ6qheyopCRWC2HZW/dWt02KeMEgRJAzHD80
=uln4
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[tinloaf]

Too late - there is basically already a pull request for this. ;) #1815 - does not include "blocking" per se so far, but that's only a small step then. ;)

[Kixunil]

Well, better than nothing but it still doesn't do what I need: get rid of spam from operator. (I know that in perfect world I could tell my operator not to send one or switch operator but this is not perfect world)

[tinloaf]

It will do. One of the features I suspect will be implemented on top of this (if it gets in) is completely blocking someone.

[Kixunil]

Great, will it support regexps?
In my case numbers are often random but always 3 digit. But there are also (I think three) legit three digit numbers I'm aware of. That's why I need also white-list and/or trash: it will allow me to review messages later just in case.

It looks like I'll tip you once it's out. :)

[agrajaghh]

Why don't you use one of these?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smsBlocker&hl=de
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Guardam.JunkFirewall
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=sms+blacklist&so=1&c=apps

I dont think a regex fitler is really fitting in the concept of TextSecure as beeing a simple messaging app. See https://github.com/WhisperSystems/TextSecure/blob/master/contributing.md

[Kixunil]

I don't trust them (mostly because of closed source nature) and I doubt they work with TextSecure.
Yeah, regex filter is too huge feature. But I'm wondering how to block almost 1000 numbers conveniently. Maybe generate list of numbers and import it somehow?

[agrajaghh]

There are some apps which don't have internet permission.

Another solution might be Cyanogenmod. It has a blocking feature included, you can't use regex there but something like .*123.* is allowed,

I would't like to have a blocking feature in TextSecure like @tinloaf proposed, but I think blocking single contacts is enough. Everything more complex is too complicated for the average user.

[Kixunil]

Don't mistake average users for dumb users. Lack of features doesn't mean simplicity.
Simplicity: I don't have to bother setting up unneeded stuff. It just works.
Lack of features: I'm bothered with spam and it's complicated to get rid of it (best case: I need to install suspicious third party app; worst case: I need to root my phone and program something)

You see the difference? Even something like GMail is simple but doesn't lack features.

[kiplingw]

Any ETA on a beta I could test?

[hirak99]

Completely agree with Kixunil on simplicity and usability.

Also I don't think implementing regex will be difficult, as regex is kinda inbuilt into any modern programming language.

A spam box is a necessary feature, and regex rules is a good feature to have.

Is this not being done because of lack of programmers, or because of lack of testing? If it's a programming resource related issue I can help. I can code and I have interest in this feature.

[kiplingw]

hirak99, we'd love it if you could help. It looks like a patch has already been submitted above, but I don't think it has been merged yet.

[mxa]

This is a much needed feature. As it has been mentioned already the CyanogenMod text app has this feature and it is the main reason why I switched to CM the first place. TextSecure is not practical in countries with a high spam MMS/SMS volume.

[digitalfreak101]

I realy would appreciate this feature as spam by sms from unknown numbers is getting more often in the last month. Mostly containing virus links for android or something bad.
I would like to have a white/black list including the option to block all sources not in my contacts. Optional a dedicated spam "folder" would be nice.