SimpleX is a private encrypted messenger that creates new identities for each conversation. However, when you first install the app, it’s all the developer’s own servers. This has metadata and centralization risks. This can help...
SimplifiedPrivacy is completely different than SimpleX (although sharing the same start). They just released a tutorial video with a self-host script for any Debian/Ubuntu VPS that you can use to easily self-host a SimpleX server: https://video.simplifiedprivacy.com/simplex/
Here is the script on their self-hosted gitlab: https://git.simplifiedprivacy.is/publicgroup/simplex-self-host/
If you do not wish to self-host, you can add their SimpleX servers to your app for free:
smp://BgQRXMpC_pOpm2eAWvwFAvz6o1pJMu8y6_LaxZYxAFg=@smp.simplifiedprivacy.com
xftp://YLfpIjjRjJdOHKSPHCxhHMUmB_auPkxSIkfo76cH7F8=@xftp.simplifiedprivacy.com:5443
Also consider joining their SimpleX chat room where people talk about Linux and privacy in general:
https://simplex.chat/contact#/?v=1-4&smp=smp%3A%2F%2Fhpq7_4gGJiilmz5Rf-CswuU5kZGkm_zOIooSw6yALRg%3D%40smp5.simplex.im%2FXVf2UZLG2NxirJJlkO-yjU3BjbnK-QBo%23%2F%3Fv%3D1-2%26dh%3DMCowBQYDK2VuAyEAy8t1QqQ_sOovdEAfXlWvWKH9dw-7kwl5menGf4JI8hU%253D%26srv%3Djjbyvoemxysm7qxap7m5d5m35jzv5qq6gnlv7s4rsn7tdwwmuqciwpid.onion&data=%7B%22type%22%3A%22group%22%2C%22groupLinkId%22%3A%225tJ0uL-PgZB4UjSIsbnyJQ%3D%3D%22%7D
I sincerely hope the moderator will not suppress this knowledge, as some may wish to learn. I am excited about sharing technology independence.
The main difference between the register article and this one is the register is optimistic that Google will stop. While as the comments in this chat clearly indicate alternative views.
Google has abandoned the “Web Environment Integrity” API that was supposed to allow websites to only allow approved and verified browser environments. The plan would allow websites to reject browser or even OS modifications that were “unattested” for the purpose of supposedly stopping bots, piracy, ad-blocking, and other activity Google deemed to be malicious. However, critics of the plan called it corrupt tyranny in which Google flexes it’s muscles to control the entire internet.
The plan was rejected from Firefox and Brave browsers, and could potentially shut Linux users out of many websites as there would be no telemetry company to “verify” the operating system was not modified. Further, some said it was an outright attempt by Google to force people to submit to the API even if they didn’t want to use Chrome browser.
Now this horrible tyrannical plan from Google was abandoned after severe “community backlash”, however it could see a limited version for Android Chrome only when embedded into apps themselves. Some privacy advocates criticize this move as merely a trial testing ground, where they can prove to websites and services that the concept works and then try to push it to a larger audience. These critics call for a boycott of the apps that use this functionality.
We can only hope these rotten Google executives can abandon their plans for world domination and the submission of all knowledge to pass through their ad tracking software.
https://simplifiedprivacy.com/google-abandons-web-environment-integrity/
You can't join group chats of any decent size on Synapse. Put your money where your mouth is, how much you want to bet that you can't setup synapse on a $5 hetzner and join the official Matrix.org group chat?
If you just use a VPN, doesn't that solve it? Or you're talking about hosting the server in your home?
That link you provided (which by the way is hosted on microsoft github in violation of his own principles) is very good! And repeats a lot of the same information from the simplified privacy site: https://simplifiedprivacy.com/signal-messenger-guide-to-avoid-privacy-mistakes/
I am NOT saying the average person should be concerned with CIA spying. What I’m saying is that one should promote decentralized internet infrastructures that empower the individual over corrupt institutions, even though this threat model likely does not apply to you. XMPP is just as easy to use use as Signal.
If you use Signal messenger, you have to trust the Signal foundation, which uses Amazon’s AWS for the cloud. So you’re trusting CIA military contractors. I am NOT saying that Signal is a CIA tool. What I’m saying is that you are trusting and obeying a centralized authority, as opposed to being able to run code on your own server. And this contributes to the centralization of the internet and a loss of freedom.
Would you agree that Signal does sealed sender to protect metadata? If there were flaws in this system, then should we not discuss it?
I agree that I applaud the move from SMS text to Signal. I am NOT saying the average person should be concerned with CIA spying. What I’m saying is that one should promote decentralized internet infrastructures that empower the individual over corrupt institutions, even though this threat model likely does not apply to you. XMPP is just as easy to use use as Signal.
If you use Signal messenger, you have to trust the Signal foundation, which uses Amazon’s AWS for the cloud. So you’re trusting CIA military contractors. I am NOT saying that Signal is a CIA tool. What I’m saying is that you are trusting and obeying a centralized authority, as opposed to being able to run code on your own server. And this contributes to the centralization of the internet and a loss of freedom.
I disagree. There are a variety of ways your data can be leaked. For example, the person you're talking to can be using a Google stock phone or Microsoft windows which may collect data. If this was a random XMPP name, this would provide more protection than your real phone number. Furthermore, there are academic studies proving the metadata can be gotten. Please see this for more information: https://simplifiedprivacy.com/signal-messenger-guide-to-avoid-privacy-mistakes/
We need to separate the code from the people running the service. Which is not possible with signal.
I am NOT saying the average person should be concerned with CIA spying. What I’m saying is that one should promote decentralized internet infrastructures that empower the individual over corrupt institutions, even though this threat model likely does not apply to you. XMPP is just as easy to use use as Signal.
If you use Signal messenger, you have to trust the Signal foundation, which uses Amazon’s AWS for the cloud. So you’re trusting CIA military contractors. I am NOT saying that Signal is a CIA tool. What I’m saying is that you are trusting and obeying a centralized authority, as opposed to being able to run code on your own server. And this contributes to the centralization of the internet and a loss of freedom.
I agree with you that Signal is far better than WhatsApp and SMS. I applaud your adoption of freedom and thank you for your time. I am looking to educate people on open source decentralized alternatives that exist for philosophical purpose
Which statements are you disputing as untrue?