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Ask HN: Are there any truly private chat apps?

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Re: Ask HN: Are there any truly private chat apps?

#11

IRC on SIPR is private.

Properly private .. or recoverable via an FOI after the appropriate lapse of time?

Even if not entered into a formal record, properly private, or logged by higher command and saved for X days in case of need for review.

I can believe it's secure from outside hacking, I question whether it's private w/out some form of logging baked in.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any truly private chat apps?

#13
post #9
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, at a quick glance, this is it. I'm curious about the obsession with random numbers. How feasible is it to crack even a simple uuid4 identifier?

To answer the question a simple 6 digit number a few hows with an off the shelf brute force program. 10 to 20 digits could take a year if it's a good generator. 40+ digits good luck with that I doubt there's many on this site that would even know of the names of the software needed for that and far fewer outside of a 3 digit organization that has the time to dedicate a high end computer for the job. It's just easier…

For those who don't: https://xkcd.com/538/

(classic!!!!)

Re: Ask HN: Are there any truly private chat apps?

#14
post #11

IRC on SIPR is private.

Properly private .. or recoverable via an FOI after the appropriate lapse of time? Even if not entered into a formal record, properly private, or logged by higher command and saved for X days in case of need for review. I can believe it's secure from outside hacking, I question whether it's private w/out some form of logging baked in.

Logging: do you include the logging of: your browser, your ISP, your Windows machine, your router, Google (if you are using their browser), Microsoft (if you are using their browser), VPN provider (if you are using VPN), etc.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any truly private chat apps?

#15
The important question is: Do laws regarding privacy should apply to everyone?

Encryption is a cat and mouse game that shifts the focus from personal rights to technological prowess.

Of course the problem of law is harder and less fun to discuss, but eventually is the only path to true privacy.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any truly private chat apps?

#16
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Properly private .. or recoverable via an FOI after the appropriate lapse of time? Even if not entered into a formal record, properly private, or logged by higher command and saved for X days in case of need for review. I can believe it's secure from outside hacking, I question whether it's private w/out some form of logging baked in.

Logging: do you include the logging of: your browser, your ISP, your Windows machine, your router, Google (if you are using their browser), Microsoft (if you are using their browser), VPN provider (if you are using VPN), etc.

I primarily include chat logs made by third parties not chatting when discussing the privacy of a chat protocol. Traffic analyis is a secondary concern.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any truly private chat apps?

#17
Amethyst is GPG based so it's the opposite of private, it's verifiable.

Briar is end to end encrypted without any other methodology to identify you besides the meta information (briar hash), so it's as private as it can get. But, it's painful to do a handshake, both peers need to be online at the same time.

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