In light of what’s happened to Durov and possibly seeing Telegram compromised, I’m doubling my efforts to find a new main messenger. Before you start, not Signal as it’s a bad fit for the needs of me, my family and friends.
So what do I need?
- The ability to run on multiple devices. Me, my family and friends all have multiple Android devices.
- The ability to run on desktop. Linux and Windows.
- Built in sticker repository. What can I say, I like to lazy flirt.
- Animated Emoji. I like my messenger experience vibrant.
- Material You. Again with the vibrancy, but also, it’s a sign of modernity.
- Phone number linking. My family and friends are lazy as hell.
- Synchronized chats. I don’t mind self hosting a bridge, but the ability to see messages on multiple devices is a must.
- Voice Messages
- Video Calls
- Group Video Calls
- Stories integrated into as first class citizens
- Private. If you suggest WhatsApp, I’m assuming you’re either stupid or a troll.
Can anyone recommend anything?
Yes, this is why we use matrix over IRC due to e2ee. PGP last we checked doesn’t have PFS, sadly.
We remember when we used IRC having to remember all those silly commands for nick bots wasn’t exactly good UX.
We said that we don’t use Discord/Slack for that reason, so yes, we are disgusted by them too.
Yes, it is unfortunate that forward secrecy is missing from all of these. Is there any encryption mechanism for text which maintains PFS? I haven’t tried AGE personally.
Haha takes me back, the bots. IRC was much prevalent back then, I suppose I’m just nostalgic. I won’t argue against Matrix.
Thanks, so we’re on the same page.
Edit: there seems to be some work going into PFS
https://otr.cypherpunks.ca/
https://www.cs.umd.edu/~jkatz/papers/forward-enc-full.pdf