use xmpp
this post was submitted on 24 Mar 2024
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Privacy
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Element is not a solution, it is a client. Matrix is the protocol. Discord happens to provide both in a spectacularly privacy disrespecting way imo.
I know of two chat protocols which are quite popular: matrix and xmpp. Matrix seems to be the more flashy but also more energy consuming part. Xmpp is very old and apparently has been EEEd by google at some point which is the whole reason matrix exists imo.
As clients go, you can use one of dozens of them, each different. Element (and element x) are made by people who also are involved with matrix but run a for profit company as well so beware. They also make contributors sign away their rights if they ever wanted to take element closed source which is a red flag.
I mostly use fluffychat which isnt perfect but works very well imo. I also have bridges on my matrix server (i use synapse) which connect whatsapp, signal and discord for the folks who dont want to switch over but want to talk to me. This makes is convenient for me and I still have encryption and control over my data in the pure matrix chats.
I cant comment on running xmpp bc no experience but reports say its very fast. Running your own matrix server or using a known host means you have no ads, no tracking, e2ee and you will likely always know where your data goes.
Thanks for reading and have a good one.
Pretty much just matrix and revolt, armcord is a good client to use discord if you just need to use discord but eh
I've used Revolt before. It's very similar to Discord superficially, but lacks a lot of features. Even though it's more similar to slack, I've found Mattermost to have more feature parity.
Can you create voice rooms in mattermost?
It looks like it is supported via pluggins unfortunately
How do we know that these solutions are more private than Discord?
Even if open source, how do we know the compiled version wasn't altered?
You can always compile from scratch, compare the checksums or use the version you compiled. In projects this large people usually do this, and there's a certain level of trust that these checks have been performed.
A lot of compilers have things like timestamps in the finished product that could mess with hashes. I guess hashing the rest of it could work if hashes for non static regions are given.
Yup. If you're paranoid, you can self-host and watch network traffic to ensure things are encrypted when they're supposed to be.
Sure but how do you know those encrypted requests don't contain personal or unexpected information?
Set up two clients and send data between them. You can have it log out exactly what data is being sent since the whole thing is FOSS.
Matrix is pretty good, only problem is my friend groups can't seem to make the switch. As in we all want to but we have other groups we talk to on discord so we'd have discord installed anyway, and I think some of us aren't motivated enough to move our server over. I think generally the problem with privacy-respecting chat apps is everyone's on whatsapp, everyone's on discord, few "normies" or even less privacy-conscious communists will want to install a new app/program just to talk to you.
Yup, the network effect is real.
Maybe you can set up a bridge for those who want to switch? You'd still need both until all everyone moves over, but it reduces friction in that process.
That's a good idea! The next time my friends bring up switching to Matrix I'll probably try set us up a bridge to encourage the move
Element, Matrix
Try Ripcord.
That's a client, not a service. Only help ever so slightly with Discord.
FluffyChat?
Is Matrix protocol too.
Yeah Matrix too mate.
If you just want group chat, Signal works well. It's more suitable for smaller groups though, so YMMV.
Other than that, Matrix works well.
The Cinny client for Matrix is pretty good if you want to replace discord 1:1. There will be differences though but it should make the transition easier.
If you still end up using Discord over other solutions, you can use https://vencord.dev/, it is discord, but with all the telemetry pulled out of it. Been using this for when I need to use Discord, assume it's better than using normal discord at least, but probably still not a perfect solution.
I would add the caveat that since discord don't allow third party clients, you run the risk of getting your account banned for violating their ToS.
I'm fine with this personally, but it's reasonable to not be so keen if your account is important to you.
Afaik no one has ever been banned for using a third party client in and of itself. People have been banned for userbotting or spamming but afaik not for using a third party client as a normal human user. But yes it is technically against TOS
This is good to know, much appreciated
Yup that is a fair warning. However I have been using it for as long as it has existed, and not have my account banned. But can see this being more of a problem Should Vencord get really popular.
I've been using it for a decent amount of time since the first party client doesn't support wayland.
You're right in that it's probably a slim chance they'll target you, though I don't really care about getting banned in any case.
I wonder if they have a way of highlighting users who use vesktop / vencord to spoof access to nitro features like high bitrate streaming.
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