Why don't people here love SimpleXChat more? ( simplex.chat )

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.

uzi ,

In F-Droid, after disabling all anti-features, SimpleX still is listed. Signal never will be due to connecting to GCM or Firebase. Molly is an improvement for Signal but not for untrackable privacy like SimpleX from using a different ID with each individual SimpleX contact.

malean ,
@malean@lemmy.world avatar

I hoped Molly leaved the sms feature, that is the only thing I can use as a bait for let my friends switch to signal.

uzi ,

No, because SMS code was removed from Signal, I believe Molly would have to fork the code if they try to put it back in.

adespoton ,

Not to mention, SMS was removed because it’s inherently insecure at every level. Keeping it would mean there’d be an insecure side channel into the protocol. While it’s a useful onboarding mechanism, it can also be abused — and was. So eventually it got removed to prefer privacy and security over convenience.

uzi ,

That's a valid reason, prioritizing security over convenience. I forgot about the fact that texting is plain text communication.

Charger8232 ,

I've been a fan of SimpleX for a while now. Privacy comes at the cost of convenience, and SimpleX is the most private messaging platform according to this spreadsheet.

SolarPunker OP ,

Thanks for this report.

lemmyreader ,

Beware https://privacyspreadsheet.com/messaging-apps uses Google fonts. So much for privacy.

moreeni , (edited )

They do. I absolutely love it

Wave ,

Top-Tec!
decentralized and doesn’t depend on any unique identifiers

rrobin ,

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:

  1. no one else seems to use it
  2. UX is not great because of initial exchange

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:

  1. the desktop app is way behind the mobile app - and I would really prefer to use a desktop CLI app
  2. haskell puts me off a bit - the language is fine I just don't know how to read it - for more practical issues it did not support older (arm6/7) devices which kept lots of people in older devices away
  3. AFAIK no alternative implementations of either the client or the SMP server exist - which is a petty I think the protocol would shine in other contexts (like push notifications)
  4. I was going to say that there are not many 3rd party user groups - but I just found out about the directory service (shame on me, maybe? can't seem to find groups though)
  5. protocol features/stabilization is a moving target and most of the fancy new features don't really interest me (i don't care much about audio/video)
  6. stabilization of code/dependencies would help package the server/client in more linux distros, which I think would help adoption among the tech folk

Finally a couple of points on some of the other comments:

  • multi device support - no protocol out there can do multi device properly (not signal, none really) so i'm ok with biting the bullet on this
  • VC funding is a drag - but I am still thankful that they clearly specified the chat protocol separate from the message relay, which means that even if the chat app dies, SMP could still be used for other stuff.
Freuks ,
@Freuks@lemmy.ml avatar

No userbase + when I exported db ld device and then import to new one, it didnt work..

kevincox ,
@kevincox@lemmy.ml avatar

Any chat protocol without full mutli-device support is not really an option for me https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/issues/444.

LemmyHead , (edited )

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.

gravitywell ,

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.

FriendBesto ,

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.

DavidDoesLemmy ,
@DavidDoesLemmy@aussie.zone avatar

Does it have forward/future security?

7heo ,

https://simplex.chat/blog/20240314-simplex-chat-v5-6-quantum-resistance-signal-double-ratchet-algorithm.html

messenger-comparison

¹ Repudiation in SimpleX Chat will include client-server protocol from v5.7 or v5.8. Currently it is implemented but not enabled yet, as its support requires releasing the relay protocol that breaks backward compatibility.

² Post-quantum cryptography is available in beta version, as opt-in only for direct conversations. See below how it will be rolled-out further.

Some columns are marked with a yellow checkmark:

  • when messages are padded, but not to a fixed size.
  • when repudiation does not include client-server connection. In case of Cwtch it appears that the presence of cryptographic signatures compromises repudiation (deniability), but it needs to be clarified.
  • when 2-factor key exchange is optional (via security code verification).
  • when post-quantum cryptography is only added to the initial key agreement and does not protect break-in recovery.
GadgeteerZA ,
GadgeteerZA avatar

@SolarPunker 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.

Gooey0210 ,

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

ThinkingThings ,
@ThinkingThings@lemmy.ca avatar

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.

jack ,

Just send them the code. It's okay if the channel over which they the receive the code is insecure

considine ,

Running out of names for apps? I'll just borrow from Herpes Simplex.... seems catchy.

nevial ,
@nevial@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

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

BastingChemina ,

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.

delirious_owl , (edited )
@delirious_owl@discuss.online avatar

Are chats synced with the mobile and desktop clients?

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