ZoneBitcoin EditorialAt the moment, when we talk about web 3 applications, we often talk about wallets, browsers or alternatively decentralized social networks ( Nostr, PunchWord, etc). Very rarely we discuss decentralized message services. However, this is perhaps where a large part of the future use of our messaging is at stake.
Indeed, you yourself who are reading this article are certainly a fan of messaging services such as WhatsApp, Messenger or even Telegram.
We're not going to lie: these messaging tools greatly improve our communications. Whether it is to chat with loved ones, to join discussion groups or even to follow news from certain companies, messaging services are extremely popular.
However, with the contribution of blockchain and new applications of Web3, we realize the limits of messaging applications. These do not guarantee us, for example, the confidentiality of our data or the non-sharing of our personal information.
This is why, today, many companies have developed decentralized messaging applications that resolve the flaws of their centralized counterparts. We have produced a summary, for you, of the best confidential and decentralized messaging applications that are already available on the market.
You are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing one.
Dust: one of the first Blockchain messaging applications
Maybe you have already heard of Dust, because it is the oldest of decentralized messaging systems. Dust has existed since 2014 and has enjoyed growing success, year after year. It is possible to register only with a telephone number and there is no need to indicate your email address or any other personal information. Therefore, the application is pseudonymous. Furthermore, all messages are encrypted and only the recipients and senders have access to the content exchanged.
Dust is also very popular because of its “clean” function which automatically erases all message history after 24 hours. You will therefore not be able to consult the history of your conversations or those of others for that matter. Likewise, when a message is deleted, it is permanently deleted and no one will be able to access it, even with the most advanced computer techniques. Messages are deleted forever.
The other very interesting feature of Dust is that you can use it to browse the internet anonymously.
Status: The messaging app that has a built-in crypto wallet
The messaging app Status was developed on Ethereum, allowing you to benefit from decentralized messaging. It is possible to use Status to chat with just one person or with a group in the same way as Telegram with a few differences. To register, again, you don't need an email address or even a phone number. Users remain anonymous.
Again, on Status, messages are end-to-end encrypted and no one can read the messages except the senders and recipients. Status employees themselves cannot access messages. The Status app uses the Waku peer-to-peer messaging protocol for message processing and encryption.
What is very interesting about Status is the integrated crypto wallet. Likewise, the user can use Dapp's browser and log in to different applications directly. The application has its own utility token SNT which allows rewards to be paid to people who stake and secure the network.
Secretum: The messaging application on Solana
Secretum is a decentralized messaging application that could certainly appeal to supporters of Solana blockchain (GROUND). To create an account on Secretum, you don't need a telephone number or even an email, just a Solana address.
Secretum is a complete application in the sense that it is possible to communicate by SMS, make video calls and even exchange files in different formats (video, audio, texts, etc.). It is also possible on the Secretum application to carry out money transfer operations on the network.
Secretum has a native SER token that serves as a crypto token on the application. This then makes it possible to exchange messages on the network.
The Secretum application uses the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism where all participants can stake the SER token. Thus, by securing the network, they are rewarded and receive SER tokens.
Crypviser: The ideal confidential messaging for businesses
Encrypt is one of the most versatile on this list of the best decentralized messaging applications. The application is as popular with individual users as with businesses. Moreover, more and more companies are becoming aware of the advantage of using an application like Crypviser for their internal communication.
Crypviser uses a centralized public key infrastructure (DKPI) which will encrypt and encrypt the communication which will then be stored on the blockchain.
Available in mobile version but also in “desktop” version, it is possible to also use the blockchain option on the cloud. This allows businesses to install a private communications network. Only people connected to the network can access messages.
Wispr
Wispr which is pronounced like the English word “whisper”, means “to whisper” or to murmur. Built on the blockchain, the Wispr application offers complete anonymity to its users. It is possible to configure messages so that they disappear after a certain duration.
These can send SMS, voice and video calls and also send files in different formats. Messages are end-to-end encrypted, data protection reinforced by the Voice Over Blockchain Protocol (VOBP). The protection of your data is then optimal because this protocol ensures that there is no possibility of a third party hijacking your connection. For example, if you use your camera or microphone, no one can hijack or exploit your data.
Adamant:
Adamant is a decentralized messaging app that does not ask for any personal information for registration. Anyone can register without giving their phone number or even their email address. All messages exchanged on the application are encrypted and no one can access them. The IP address is also hidden from third parties.
Adamant also has a built-in crypto wallet, which gives even more functionality to users.
What are the advantages of using decentralized messaging?
Quite clearly, the biggest advantage of using decentralized messaging, which runs on blockchain technology, concerns user privacy. Messaging apps do not store user data and cannot resell it to third-party companies like some centralized messaging apps can do.
The fact that the network has several autonomous nodes also makes applications more stable and secure. It doesn't take just one attack on a single server to jeopardize the network as a whole. This drastically improves the security of the network and messages sent in the application.
However, even if decentralized messaging applications are preferable in terms of security and confidentiality, there are some disadvantages to be aware of. Even if they may seem anecdotal compared to the advantages, it is nevertheless important to know them.
What are the disadvantages of decentralized messaging?
The main disadvantage of decentralized messaging is that these applications are still very little used. Likewise, the concept of decentralization is also not understood by the vast majority of the population. Thus, few people feel concerned by the importance of using a decentralized message.
Applications like WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram are so popular among the world's population that it seems less practical to abandon them to use other applications. Likewise, certain applications remain “complicated” to use such as Secretum which requires knowledge of the Solana network and crypto wallets. It's not easy and a novice can quickly feel overwhelmed by the amount of information to understand.
However, your recipient must also use this type of application for you to be able to send them messages. So, it's entirely possible that you want to use this type of app but are frustrated that you don't have many users to interact with.
However, adoption is currently happening slowly, but in a few years it seems quite likely that more and more people will opt for anonymous messaging.
What are the problems with centralized messaging like Facebook Messenger?
Some apps claim they don't store personal information, but no one can verify the veracity of these claims. Privacy is not ensured on applications like WhatsApp, for example. It is a centralized company managed by a few people and the shareholders are the only ones who can decide important choices for the application.
Even more, one of the problems of these centralized messaging systems undoubtedly remains the quality of the security of these applications. The stored data can then be hacked and used despite users' consent. Hacks can bring down the entire application with a localized flaw. Moreover, it has happened on several occasions that applications have been blocked due to computer bugs and hacking. Additionally, a simple application update can create large, complex redesigns for users. Crashes can occur because it is not easy to maintain technical operations centrally with millions of users.
Thanks to blockchain, decentralized applications can distribute the workload among different nodes. This stabilizes the network in a way that is undoubtedly superior to the centralized version.
Finally, if you are looking to use truly confidential messaging, you now have a wide range. All you have to do is help yourself.
See also:
- Alternatives to Twitter: 6 decentralized social networks
- Here are 4 Web 3 browsers you can use right now
Please note: : No financial advice is given in this or any other article on zonebitcoin. This is information of which you are the sole judge and master. Be responsible with your investments and only invest as much as you are willing to lose.
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