- cross-posted to:
- privacy@lemmy.ml
- privacy@lemmy.ml
- cross-posted to:
- privacy@lemmy.ml
- privacy@lemmy.ml
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.
Never heard and don’t know any users. I suspect I’m not alone.
I saw a user’s hash just this week — it was in a ransom note. They required their victims to sign up for the service and text a code to their userhash to kick off sending the attacker cryptocurrency so they’d send a decryption key and not make stolen data public.
Other than that use case, it hasn’t picked up many users that I’m aware of.
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.
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
Because when you read their website https://simplex.chat/ and they say stuff like “Possibility of MITM > NO” and “Central component or other network-wide attack > No - resilient” they kind lose their credibility.
Also, “Other apps have user IDs (…) SimpleX does not, not even random numbers.” > there must be an ID at some point. When you invite someone with a QR code or a link that effectively becomes an ID - even if it changes for every invitation. Also servers need to coordinate message delivery, some form of ID is required for that.
The way the messaging queues work and what the servers see is interesting but I’m yet to dig into that.
deleted by creator
No userbase + when I exported db ld device and then import to new one, it didnt work…
Any chat protocol without full mutli-device support is not really an option for me https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/issues/444.
What does their multi-device story look like? Can I use one identity/account on multiple devices, with synced read state etc?
My friends barely want to use Signal. There’s no chance they’re using something else.
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
Running out of names for apps? I’ll just borrow from Herpes Simplex… seems catchy.
HERPES would be an AMAZING messaging app, since a estimated 60-95% of adults have it already… So very catchy!
Hey man, do you have herpes? Try it out. It is really easy to get one.
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
“Hang on let me write down my QR code”
Usernames exist for a reason, especially in chat apps. Not having usernames is only going to severely limit your target demographic. And if nobody uses your app does it’s benefits even matter?
You just scan QR codes. It is not that complicated
You match with someone on a dating app and want to move to the next step… Sending them a QR code to scan into the app is a huge hurdle.
Well dating apps are not made for privacy
A Messaging app is made for communication. The ideal dream is a messaging app that is both easy to communicate with, and respect privacy. If a messaging app cannot be used for a common messaging use case, like dating. It’s not going to work as a general messaging app
It can be pretty complicated without a phone. Especially if your computer doesn’t have a webcam.
just send them the link
Thereby surrendering your anonymity and negating any reason to use the app over mainstream alternatives.
you don’t need a camera, you can load the qrCode image (after sending it through Signal 🤭
They do. I labsolutely ove it
Are chats synced with the mobile and desktop clients?
Interesting project, but last time I tried it was battery hungry, and having made quite an effort to get some of my contacts on Signal, I don’t see it happen to get them all on SimpleXChat. And Signal Stickers make Signal more attractive for some.
I’d say the battery problem is now under control. The UI is still horrible though…