SimpleX Chat is an instant messenger that is decentralized and doesn’t depend on any unique identifiers such as phone numbers or usernames. Users of SimpleX Chat can scan a QR code or click an invite link to participate in group conversations.
-privacyguides.org
It’s clearly proving to be the most innovative technology when it comes to decentralized communication, in my opinion.
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.
much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)
Top-Tec! decentralized and doesn’t depend on any unique identifiers
Here is my take as someone who absolutely loves the work simplex did on the SMP protocol, but still does not use SimpleX Chat.
First the trivial stuff:
These two are not that unexpected. Any other chat app with E2E security has tricky UX, and SimpleX takes the hard road by not trading off security/privacy for UX. I think this is a plus, but yes it annoys people.
Now for the reasons that really keep me away:
Finally a couple of points on some of the other comments:
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Any chat protocol without full mutli-device support is not really an option for me https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/issues/444.
I think it’s just that there are too many options and the communities are so fragmented. I’m trying out simplex but it still feels like beta software. Regardless I’d like to see it succeed so we have a real private alternative that doesn’t rely on big tech or shady government sponsorship.
I don’t trust for profit venture capital funding, if you want to see where it ends up just Look at how telegram or wickr transitions from being “open” and free to getting stripped of features only to have them become paid only and the wickr sold off to Amazon and ended all non business support…the business model for making a profit off chat applications is bad for users.
Also now that signal supports usernames I have no reason to use anything else even for people I wouldn’t want having my real number.
Agreed, this is why I am slowly moving away from Signal. The moment they announced putting in a wallet along their own crypto, was the sign for me to leave.
@SolarPunker@slrpnk.net I’ve not heard of anyone who does “not like” it? Many don’t know about it maybe. I can’t think of anything I’ve seen against it as it ticks most of the boxes for excellent privacy and has been very usable for me.
Me, my friends, and family are using it
Aaand… Everyone is hating it, tbh 🤣
The notifications are unreliable and at the same time it drains 20% of the battery
Waiting for fixes, also want to setup my own relay
Does it have forward/future security?
https://simplex.chat/blog/20240314-simplex-chat-v5-6-quantum-resistance-signal-double-ratchet-algorithm.html
Simple answer to the question so far as I can see: in order to connect with someone, you have to video conference with them and show them a code. So the anonymity is only as anonymous as the video conference you use to do that. All of the benefits it claims are merely an illusion.
Just send them the code. It’s okay if the channel over which they the receive the code is insecure
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I’m not saying it necessarily is a good name but simplex is just a Latin word that’s used in many contexts. I for one would have never thought of Herpes here
HERPES would be an AMAZING messaging app, since a estimated 60-95% of adults have it already… So very catchy!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes
Hey man, do you have herpes? Try it out. It is really easy to get one.
I liked the fact that it is really easy to self-host.
I tried it with friends on discord and in 10min I had a vps with a server running.
Are chats synced with the mobile and desktop clients?
Never tried it. But I use Element, which is based on the Matrix protocol.
Isn’t matrix encryption beta? I remembered element always warns about that
I don’t think so.
With SimpleX each server is replacable/fungible
SimpleX is great but not ready for prime time.
I use it as a copy paste buffer on my different devices. I run into issues with sending media sometimes.
Adding people at a distance is a huge pain in the ass with long codes, that needs a solution before the app can be used by normal people.
Optional usernames would be nice
After Signal dropped SMS support, most of my friends jumped ship. No way they’re using this.