Show HN: We built an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Photos • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: We built an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Photos

#51

Post by vishnumohandas » Sun, Aug 29, 2021, 4:07 PM UTC

sturza wrote: post #28

Is there a way to “one click” move from google photos?

Currently no. You have to manually export your data from takeout.google.com.

We are optimistic that with the Data Transfer Project[1], Google will eventually expose APIs for us to perform this migration programmatically.

[1]: https://datatransferproject.dev

Re: Show HN: We built an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Photos

#52

Post by sobriquet9 » Sun, Aug 29, 2021, 4:10 PM UTC

olah_1 wrote: post #34

ridaj wrote: post #13

What are your plans for when your app is found to host content such as terrorist executions, child porn, etc.? (This isn't trolling, it's something that eventually happens with every product, and I've been wanting a non-Google version myself but wondering how that kind of abuse would be dealt with.)

the answer is right here https://ente.io/transparency

It does not say how often it is updated. Wouldn't it be better to say "as of 8/29/2021, we have received no such requests and we are updating this page monthly".

Re: Show HN: We built an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Photos

#53

Post by hackwa » Sun, Aug 29, 2021, 4:10 PM UTC

I’ve been using ente for a while now. The user experience has potential for improvement but overall I’ve found it worth the tradeoff. The client app itself is super clean and it feels great to not be thinking about giving more of my money and data to google or amazon or fb. Take my money!

Re: Show HN: We built an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Photos

#54

Post by vishnumohandas » Sun, Aug 29, 2021, 4:11 PM UTC

cf_ wrote: post #17

Looks great - congratulations! Could you please add if / how you store a hash of the user password of authentication - it‘s not discussed on the architecture page. Thank you.

We don't store your password's hash. Since we use authenticated encryption, clients can identify when the decryption of your masterKey fails because you used a key generated from a wrong password.

Re: Show HN: We built an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Photos

#55

Post by Brajeshwar » Sun, Aug 29, 2021, 4:11 PM UTC

Ouch! This is costly. I'm still shopping for a Backup or a parallel solution to Apple Photos.

At $14.99 /mo for a 1TB storage or even the discounted Indian pricing of ₹999 /mo; I would put it at a high price point for a Photo Service/Tool.

Just a thought. I'd priced it similar to Google Photos but sell the encrypted/privacy part as a prominent feature.

Re: Show HN: We built an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Photos

#56

Post by izacus » Sun, Aug 29, 2021, 4:14 PM UTC

Aspos wrote: post #50

benbristow wrote: post #23

Your homepage says "protect your photos/faces etc. from algorithms" The algorithms are what makes Google Photos; Google Photos. If I wanted to just store my photos I'd throw them in a S3 bucket or Dropbox or something. Google Photos lets me automatically categorise my photos by person, lets me search my library using text search for anything (e.g. I can search 'museum' and see pictures I've taken in museums). That is…

Those "algorithms" can run locally, on a NAS or a desktop, generate the metadata and make it available to you only on your mobile. I can see myself paying for such software if it was mature enough.

Synology Photos is one such solution already for example.

Re: Show HN: We built an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Photos

#57

Post by 12ian34 » Sun, Aug 29, 2021, 4:14 PM UTC

Love the idea, sounds like a lot of hard work has gone into it already. I have been looking for this kind of thing to replace Google Photos. I checked out the website and couldn't find enough about the app's usability. So, I downloaded the (android) app hoping for some kind of demo or further insight into the UX but it's asking me to sign up or login. I guess I'll sign up anyway because I'm curious, but I'd have preferred a demo of the app first, especially since I really love the UX of Google Photos which is one of the main reasons prolonging my desire to replace it

Re: Show HN: We built an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Photos

#58

Post by cf_ » Sun, Aug 29, 2021, 4:16 PM UTC

vishnumohandas wrote: post #54

cf_ wrote: post #17

Looks great - congratulations! Could you please add if / how you store a hash of the user password of authentication - it‘s not discussed on the architecture page. Thank you.

We don't store your password's hash. Since we use authenticated encryption, clients can identify when the decryption of your masterKey fails because you used a key generated from a wrong password.

Ok, that‘s cool! But the client get‘s to download the encrypted master key without authentication, right? Doesn’t that enable easy offline attacks or is the decryption too time-consuming?

Re: Show HN: We built an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Photos

#59

Post by user-the-name » Sun, Aug 29, 2021, 4:18 PM UTC

YPPH wrote: post #45

user-the-name wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you know it's zero knowledge?

The source code of the client-side apps appears to be available on GitHub. So if they're bluffing, it won't be too long until someone calls them out on it.

Unless they only send compromised code to you personally and nobody else.

Re: Show HN: We built an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Photos

#60

Post by kaycebasques » Sun, Aug 29, 2021, 4:19 PM UTC

slater wrote: post #32

Sidenote: are you aware that "Ente" is German for "duck"? :)

If I recall correctly "ente" has a pleasant meaning in Portuguese. Google Translate says it means "loved" but I feel like my paperback dictionary said something else...

Edit: I think it's similar to "being"