11–20 of 38 posts
Are they seriously talking about /this/ Matrix? https://www.operation-passionflower.com/
https://matrix.org/blog/2024/12/unrelated-cybercriminal-netw...
Are they seriously talking about /this/ Matrix? https://www.operation-passionflower.com/
Relevant blog post: https://matrix.org/blog/2024/12/unrelated-cybercriminal-netw...
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The reason for the initial development of "the internet" as we know it, basically TCP/IP, was know as the Department of Defense (DoD) model because the research and development were funded by the United States Department of Defense through DARPA. The idea was to build a network that --unlike pre-existing networks-- did not need centralization. The goal was to make the network resilient to parts not working, with obvi…
This is a different type of centralisation, though. WhatsApp isn't running out of a single data centre (I hope).
Whatsapp controls nearly everything: servers, clients, protocol.
Matrix has open protocols, several implementation of the clients/servers, and people can start their own server node.
In the comparison to TCP/IP this is quite similar. You can add to the network without needing approval of a central institution.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is a different type of centralisation, though. WhatsApp isn't running out of a single data centre (I hope).
It's not that different. Whatsapp controls nearly everything: servers, clients, protocol. Matrix has open protocols, several implementation of the clients/servers, and people can start their own server node. In the comparison to TCP/IP this is quite similar. You can add to the network without needing approval of a central institution.
This is nothing to do with resilience in the face of things being destroyed in a war. That's what I'm saying: it's not the same sort of centralisation.
> In the comparison to TCP/IP this is quite similar. You can add to the network without needing approval of a central institution.
I can join WhatsApp without approval as well. But also - how like that is TCP/IP? All IP addresses have to be agreed and assigned, do they not?
Previously: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42321334
I’m not entirely sure why it matters that silos of messaging data exist, if it’s encrypted like Signal and WhatsApp the centralized model is far superior to an arbitrary and unknown number of parties receiving metadata about messaging. It might have been an easier case to make if Matrix wasn’t an uphill battle in terms of usability and performance.
It doesn't matter until one day, something happens that does make it matter.
Imagine if a centralised model was used and a foreign state managed to sever connections to the internet that was used by that country/central server. It's more resilient to be able to route messages even if the network is under attack. This kind of thinking is behind the original design of the internet although we now seem to have centralised large portions of functionality.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's not that different. Whatsapp controls nearly everything: servers, clients, protocol. Matrix has open protocols, several implementation of the clients/servers, and people can start their own server node. In the comparison to TCP/IP this is quite similar. You can add to the network without needing approval of a central institution.
> Whatsapp controls nearly everything: servers, clients, protocol. This is nothing to do with resilience in the face of things being destroyed in a war. That's what I'm saying: it's not the same sort of centralisation. > In the comparison to TCP/IP this is quite similar. You can add to the network without needing approval of a central institution. I can join WhatsApp without approval as well. But also - how like that…
> I can join WhatsApp without approval as well
You absolutely need approval to join WhatsApp. Approval and a phone number.
> All IP addresses have to be agreed and assigned, do they not
You can assign your own IPs and have your own network if you want.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The reason for the initial development of "the internet" as we know it, basically TCP/IP, was know as the Department of Defense (DoD) model because the research and development were funded by the United States Department of Defense through DARPA. The idea was to build a network that --unlike pre-existing networks-- did not need centralization. The goal was to make the network resilient to parts not working, with obvi…
This is a different type of centralisation, though. WhatsApp isn't running out of a single data centre (I hope).
Obligatory reminder that the whole "Internet routes around censorship" like it routes around glassed data centres during nuclear war, etc. applies to layers 3-4 of ISO/OSI model. The problematic centralization of the Internet happens at layer 7.