Private Real Time Communication
The article highlights top private instant messengers prioritizing user privacy, including Signal, SimpleX Chat, and Briar, emphasizing features like end-to-end encryption and the importance of independent audits.
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This article provides an overview of the best private instant messengers that prioritize user privacy and security. Key recommendations include Signal, SimpleX Chat, and Briar, each offering unique features to protect communications. Signal utilizes the Signal Protocol for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) and allows users to create usernames to hide their phone numbers. SimpleX Chat operates without unique identifiers, enabling users to join conversations via QR codes or invite links, and supports E2EE for audio and video calls. Briar connects through the Tor Network, facilitating secure communication even in low-connectivity situations. Additional options like Element and Session are also mentioned, though they have limitations regarding forward secrecy. The article emphasizes the importance of independent audits and the criteria for selecting secure messaging apps, such as open-source availability and the absence of personal identifier requirements. Overall, these messengers are designed to protect against various threats, including mass surveillance and service provider access.
- Signal, SimpleX Chat, and Briar are top recommendations for secure messaging.
- Signal allows users to create usernames to enhance privacy.
- SimpleX Chat does not require unique identifiers for user registration.
- Briar uses the Tor Network for secure communication.
- The article stresses the importance of independent audits for messaging apps.
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1 commentsI'm still a little confused about how SimpleX works without userids, even after reading through the material. I assume it operates around "chats" rather than users? That is, participants wouldn't necessarily know that I'm the same person in two different chats I'm involved with? But then you'd have to have some way of initiating the chat "physically"? And wouldn't something about my messaging routing history "signature" be the same in two different chats I'm involved with?
I've always wanted to see Briar get more attention although I understand the reasons why it maybe hasn't.
Related
What Does It Mean to Be a Signal Competitor?
The article outlines criteria for messaging apps to compete with Signal, emphasizing open source, end-to-end encryption, and secure implementation. It warns against prioritizing features over user privacy and security.
Is Telegram really an encrypted messaging app?
Telegram lacks default end-to-end encryption, requiring users to manually activate "Secret Chats." This complicates privacy, as most messages may be visible to the service provider, misleading users about security.
What Does It Mean to Be a Signal Competitor?
The article outlines criteria for messaging apps to compete with Signal, emphasizing open-source, end-to-end encryption, proper encryption implementation, key management, and privacy preservation as essential factors.