this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2023

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Privacy

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Privacy minded instant messaging quest. (lemmy.ml)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hi,

I'm looking for an instant messaging ( IM ) ~~apps~~ software/protocol that run on Android and computer

and meet the following requirements :

Open source !
E2EE
Messages are send in direct ! (not passing by a server)
handle group
Truly private ! ( That's the tricky part )

The closest that I've found is Briar

+can work without internet ! (bluetooth, local wifi, files !)
+ use TOR
- Mutual party have to exchange key (or your can introduce someone)
- sending media suck for now, poor image quality
- no call or voice messaging

I've been looking for alternatives:

~~Session~~
- Sadly it keep ALL the conversation into server !!! so it's a no go.
speek
- I didn't try it yet, any feedback ?
simplex
- it look very promising ! (didn't tried it yet)
- + seem to handle multiple profile in one !
- + do not require that both party send an invitation !
  - and have also a optional long term address
- ~~! I didn't found (yet) if the messages are send in direct or pass by a server..~~
  It's not P2P all the messages pass by servers.. too bad.

All post about alternatives or experience with the one that I cited are welcome.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Session doesn't store logs on a central server. They are encrypted and stored on lokinet.

Anyway other options are: Jami, Signal or Molly and maybe matrix. Keep in mind Briar will drain battery a bit and doesn't receive notifications offline unless you setup a dedicated device

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (3 children)

https://www.securemessagingapps.com/ if you see closely for session , it says that attachments are centralized in their servers in canada

session tries to promote their oxen cryptocurrency and lokinet which imo crypto currency are used by baiters to bait people into ruining their money

you dont understand what signal /molly is , do you ? they are centralized server and OP specificially asked not centralized server / server for that matter

matrix is good but it still need server , plus matrix.org takes quite a bit of metadata

jami's good but it uses turn server to verify your name

briar's bluetooth functionality can be violated plus no good ui/ux

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Interesting that you mentioned briar and Bluetooth. What is the issue with Bluetooth?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

just search seytonic bluetooth on yt , you can find it preety easily ngl

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Okay, just on general principles telling me to watch an influencer on YouTube who summarizes an article isn't a great way to have a discussion.

But whatever, I think this is the article you're referring to:

https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/06/bluetooth_bug_apple_linux/

Bluetooth keyboard, keystroke injections.

That's a generalized Bluetooth issue, not a briar issue. I was just curious if there was a specific briar implementation problem, but if this is the article you're referring to then briar is fine and hasn't had a issue.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

i have an exam tomorrow and as such i wasnt able to show you all the sources

and no currently htrere is no briar specific problem in my radar "yet"

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Session does not have centralized servers in Canada. There are issues with session but centralized servers aren't one of them.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

uhh i linked you the website source , no offense but its written there also i hate crypto so maybe thats why i am picking up on those guys specifically i guess

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

jami’s good but it uses turn server to verify your name

So is it secure ? does that mean you rely on those server to be able to created an account ?