SimpleX
this post was submitted on 07 Jun 2024
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Privacy
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A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.
Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.
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founded 4 years ago
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- SimpleX is libre software and the most decentralised voice chat here.
- Briar is libre and the most decentralised but is missing voice chat.
- XMPP and Matrix are libre software and federated/decentralised. XMPP servers use far less resources, so creates more decentralisation than Matrix in practice.
- Signal is libre and more popular but centralised, acceptable.
- Avoid Threema's app which requires a service as a software substitute.
This spreadsheet is a very helpful comparison of the different messaging apps. I've been using SimpleX for quite some time now, and the only issue I have is some lag on the iOS client.
I'd go with Signal or Threema
Signal: Best data protection. They are on a different level from anyone else. They even reimplemented gif search through their app so it can be anonymised (instead of the data-collecting gif search in your keyboard). Just an example, they really try. Also has a desktop app that doesn't need the mobile app to be running. Downsides are google dependency (for push notifications - but they're empty, the encrypted data does never even touch google) and required linking to phone numbers. They do have usernames now so you don't have to give out your phone number to talk to someone. Behind it is an US based non profit - whether that is a downside everyone can decide for themselves.
Threema: No need for phone number, not even a credit card, you can buy it anonymously through their website. No google services required. Swiss based company, so much better laws than USA. Finance themselves through the one time fee of 2 USD and through their corporate offers, no nags for donations, no selling of data. Downsides are server code is not open source, and their protocol is less good than Signals, but still reasonably secure. They're working on a new one though. Also no independent desktop app yet (also working on it).
Would maybe choose Signal for its simplicity but I do not would like to use threema, it is a bit too related to his company, rather prefer simplex as example
Where your friends are?
Yup. Reality. No point using a hyper secure chat system if literally nobody you know is using it.
My friends knew I was using it. I said why with very simple words, focused on freedom and abuse over side effects, privacy and security, and they joined. I guess having friends who actually respect you helps a lot.
You're one of the few lucky ones.
What is it you're looking for actually? "Best" is subjective to the person's needs.
For example for me, the best is signal but I would much rather use something decentralised that still allows friends and family to find me easily using my phone number. Stories / client defined groups without notifications are also very useful to me. Also a native desktop app (aka not a locked down browser running some local webpage) would be awesome. But such an app doesn't exist yet.
What would you need and prefer?
SimpleX has a native desktop app
Would like to have something with a strong encryption and good capability of tweaking
Email, probably. Kind of depends on your needs, and how willing other people are to accommodate them. The most secure messaging platform is email with a third party IMAP client using OpenPGP. That way the client and the server are run by different people, and the encryption is based on a verifiable and well known standard. But will other people use that to communicate with you? Probably not. So probably something like Signal would strike a good balance between privacy and ease of use.