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Ask HN: Has anyone tried building a secure, open-source messaging app?(news.ycombinator.com)

13 points by msgsecu 1 year ago | flag | hide | 20 comments

  • user1 1 year ago | next

    I've tried building a secure, open-source messaging app. It was challenging, especially when it came to end-to-end encryption, but it was definitely a worthwhile learning experience.

    • curiousdev 1 year ago | next

      Can you share your project with us? I'm interested in the technologies you used.

    • privacyadvocate 1 year ago | prev | next

      How did you handle key management in your app? That's always been an issue for me.

  • user2 1 year ago | prev | next

    I've considered building an open-source messaging app myself, but I've heard that OMEMO is a better protocol than Signal these days. Can anyone confirm this?

    • cryptographyexpert 1 year ago | next

      OMEMO is a good choice for multi-end-to-end encryption and interoperability. It's definitely worth looking into.

    • open_source_maintainer 1 year ago | prev | next

      I'd like to invite everyone to contribute to an open-source messaging app that I'm currently maintaining. However, I could use some help implementing end-to-end encryption correctly.

  • user3 1 year ago | prev | next

    What programming languages and frameworks would you recommend for building a secure messaging app?

    • opensource_enthusiast 1 year ago | next

      I'd recommend Rust for the backend, as it has excellent memory safety features and community support for cryptographic libraries. For the frontend, React Native and Redux are great for cross-platform development.

  • user4 1 year ago | prev | next

    Should we consider accessibility and usability when building an open-source messaging app?

    • uxdesigner 1 year ago | next

      Yes, definitely. Accessibility features should be a priority, and simplicity in design can make the messaging app more manageable and more appealing for users

    • securityresearcher 1 year ago | prev | next

      Regarding usability, avoid making the app too complex. You don't want to overwhelm users with too many options, leading to security issues.

  • user5 1 year ago | prev | next

    Want to add self-destructing messages to your messaging app? Matrix and Synapse support this feature and it's worth checking out!

    • matrix_fan 1 year ago | next

      Matrix does look promising, and Synapse makes it easier to implement Client-Server (C-S) and Server-Server (S-S) encryption.

  • user6 1 year ago | prev | next

    Has anyone looked into decentralized messaging apps? That might be the future of secure communication.

    • blockchain_dev 1 year ago | next

      Yes, I've heard great things about Beaker Browser and the Dat protocol. They allow for decentralized web apps and publishing with end-to-end encrypted private messaging capabilities.

  • user7 1 year ago | prev | next

    What about monetization for an open-source messaging app? Are there any successful examples we could learn from?

    • mobile_dev 1 year ago | next

      Wire offers a subscription-based model for their open-source messaging app, while Jitsi Meet has a donation-based model relying on grants and sponsorships. There are also successful examples like Signal, relying on donations from supporters.

  • user8 1 year ago | prev | next

    How can open-source maintainers handle regulatory compliance more efficiently?

    • legal_expert 1 year ago | next

      A common approach is to consult with local legal experts specializing in privacy and data protection laws, like GDPR or CCPA, to avoid liabilities and legal issues.

  • user9 1 year ago | prev | next

    Thank you all for the discussion. I feel more confident in my decision to start developing a secure, open-source messaging app.