--- marp: true theme: gaia class: invert paginate: true --- # Messaging Without Big Tech ### Free & Open Alternatives to WhatsApp and Messenger MakerFLOSS · April 2026 --- ## Why Are We Here? Most people use WhatsApp, Messenger, or iMessage. **What's the problem?** - **WhatsApp** — owned by Meta; metadata harvested; backup encryption only added under pressure - **Messenger** — no E2EE by default in groups; extensive ad tracking - **Telegram** — _not_ E2EE by default; groups are server-side; closed server - **iMessage** — Apple lock-in; not available on Android or Linux These apps are _convenient_ — but the cost is your data. --- ## Whish-list | Property | Why it matters | | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | | End-to-end encryption | Only sender and recipient can read messages | | Open source | Anyone can audit the code | | Self-hostable | You control the server and the data | | No phone number required | Less identity linkage | | Cross-platform | Linux, Android, iOS, Windows | | Federated / decentralized | No single point of failure or control | --- ## The Landscape at a Glance | App | E2EE | Open source | Self-host | No phone# | Federation | | -------------------- | ---- | ----------- | --------- | --------- | ---------- | | **Signal** | ✓ | Partial | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | | **Matrix / Element** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | **XMPP + OMEMO** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | **Briar** | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | N/A | | **Session** | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | ✓ | Partial | | **Threema** | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | Optional | ✗ | --- ## Signal — The Gold Standard for E2EE **Created by** Moxie Marlinspike (2013), now run by the non-profit Signal Foundation. **The Signal Protocol** is the encryption layer also used by: WhatsApp, Google Messages (RCS), Skype, Facebook Messenger (secret chats) ### Pros - Extremely simple UX — works like a normal messaging app - Calls, groups, disappearing messages, Stories, Note to Self - Audited, battle-tested cryptography - No ads, no tracking, no data sold ### Cons - Phone number required — links your identity to your account - Centralized — Signal's servers, Signal's rules - Server source code published but community forks are blocked --- ## Signal — Under the Hood ``` Alice's phone Signal Server Bob's phone ───────────── ───────────── ────────── [message] ──encrypt(Bob's key)──▶ [stores ciphertext] ──────▶ decrypt ──▶ [message] ``` - The server sees: _who_ talks to _whom_, _when_, and _how often_ - The server does **not** see: message content - This metadata is still significant — [read the Signal subpoena responses](https://signal.org/bigbrother/) **Best for:** journalists, activists, family group chats, anyone who wants simple + secure --- ## Matrix — The Federated Open Standard Matrix is a **protocol**, not an app — like email, but for real-time chat. ``` [your homeserver] ←──federation──▶ [another homeserver] ▲ ▲ Element client FluffyChat client ``` - **Standard**: matrix.org (open spec, anyone can implement) - **Server software**: Synapse (Python), Conduit (Rust), Dendrite (Go) - **Clients**: Element, FluffyChat, Cinny, Fractal (GNOME), Nheko - **Bridges**: WhatsApp, Signal, Slack, Discord, IRC, XMPP — all bridgeable --- ## Matrix — Pros and Cons ### Pros - Fully open source, top to bottom - Self-host your own homeserver — you own your data - Federated — no single company controls the network - Bridges let you consolidate all your chats in one place - Persistent rooms, Spaces (like Discord servers), threads ### Cons - E2EE key management is still clunky (cross-signing, key backup) - Synapse is resource-hungry (~1 GB RAM for a small server) - Message history sync across federation is slow - The UX of Element is still maturing --- ## Matrix — Why It's Interesting for MakerFLOSS We could run our own homeserver at `matrix.makerfloss.eu`. **What this gives us:** - Full control over our community chat - Bridges to reach people still on WhatsApp or Messenger - A playground for learning about self-hosted infrastructure - Federated — members can also use matrix.org or their personal servers --- ## Matrix Bridges — Stay Connected During the Transition A bridge connects Matrix to another network — messages flow both ways. ``` [WhatsApp contact] ←──── WhatsApp servers ────▶ [mautrix-whatsapp bridge] ←──── Matrix ────▶ [You] ``` **You keep your existing accounts. Your contacts don't need to switch.** | Bridge | Network | Notes | | ----------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------ | | `mautrix-whatsapp` | WhatsApp | Puppeting — uses your real WA account | | `mautrix-telegram` | Telegram | Puppeting — very stable | | `mautrix-signal` | Signal | Fragile — Signal actively breaks 3rd-party | | `matrix-appservice-irc` | IRC | Mature, widely used | | `heisenbridge` | IRC | Simpler alternative | | `meshtastic-matrix-relay` | MeshCore / Meshtastic | LoRa mesh ↔ Matrix — off-grid messaging | **The pitch:** Use Matrix as your single inbox — WhatsApp, Telegram, IRC all in one place. **The catch:** Puppeting bridges need server access to your account credentials. WhatsApp's ToS prohibits it — occasional bans occur. --- ## Two More Worth Knowing ### XMPP (Jabber) The _original_ federated chat standard — 1999. Still alive and kicking. - Extremely mature and lightweight - Good clients: **Conversations** (Android), **Monal** (iOS/macOS), **Gajim** (desktop) - E2EE via OMEMO - Con: fragmented client quality; setup less beginner-friendly ### Briar Peer-to-peer messaging — _no server at all_. - Works over Tor, local WiFi, or Bluetooth (offline!) - Censorship-resistant by design - Con: Android only (iOS in beta); no desktop client; both parties must be online to first connect --- ## Resources | Resource | Link | | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Signal | [signal.org](https://signal.org) | | Matrix spec | [spec.matrix.org](https://spec.matrix.org) | | Element client | [element.io](https://element.io) | | FluffyChat | [fluffychat.im](https://fluffychat.im) | | Conduit server | [conduit.rs](https://conduit.rs) | | Briar | [briarproject.org](https://briarproject.org) | | Privacy Guides (comparison) | [privacyguides.org/…/real-time-communication](https://www.privacyguides.org/en/real-time-communication) | | EFF Surveillance Self-Defense | [ssd.eff.org](https://ssd.eff.org) | | meshtastic-matrix-relay | [github.com/geoffwhittington/meshtastic-matrix-relay](https://github.com/geoffwhittington/meshtastic-matrix-relay) |