Suggest me a secure chat platform for my family

mcmodknower@programming.dev to Selfhosted@lemmy.world – 131 points –

I am searching for a selfhosted and secure (end to end encryption) chat platform for my family (5-20 users), possibly one i can host on a raspi.

Is matrix a good choice, or should i try something else?

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I've been using matrix for years to this purpose, but moving to xmpp/prosody now

Can I ask why you're switching?

No.

Yeah ok. First of all, because I can 😁. I mean z what's good being an IT nerd if I can't change stuff when I want?

Jokes aside, I've been reading more recently on matrix and looks like there are some security issues in the design of the app/protocol. I'm on mobile now, I'll look for sources when I'm on pc. Also I don't like that it is a server centric system (so data is primarily on the server instead of the clients). Also it takes more resources than I was expecting. For less than 10 users I can't have less than 4gb of ram (on a dedicated debian server, running docker) or it swaps so much it kills the system.

So basically I'm testing out if xmpp is a better system for those issues.

Conversations being paid on the google play store is what's stopping me from going xmpp... I can't just say "message me via xmpp, you can use the Conversations app". Now I'd have to explain what F-Droid is and why would they even get another app store and enable "unknown apps". it's not doable. I remember telling my mom to install Signal (before I got into self hosting) because I deleted whatsapp and she got angry like she worked for the zuck, saying "what do you mean you don't use whatsapp" with an astonished face, started lecturing me on why I was destroying my social life... That just made me realize right now they probably wouldn't download conversations either...welp I just wanted to share

I know exactly what you mean. Just for general information, I've found another android client that I think it's better than Conversations. It's called Monocles chat (and it's on f-droid). On matrix/xmpp I install the whatsapp bridge. I can convert a few close family members but no way everyone. For me it's an acceptable compromise. I get the close members to use my servers/apps, everyone else through the bridge so I can at least have all the chat in one place

What clients will you use for xmpp/prosody?

Gajim on pc (I use arch btw - well endeavourOS because I can't be bothered) and don't remember what on android (there is the full list or clients and capabilities on xmpp.org)

How do you convince your family/friends to switch to a new app on their smartphone and use one just to talk with you/others in the crew?

@mcmodknower@programming.dev

Frienda no, but I do use whatsapp bridges so I can have all conversations in one place.

Family with extreme nagging, and because I'm the IT guy of the house so they kinda trust me/can't be bothered to try and out-talk me.

WhatsApp bridge? How does it work?

The chat server (matrix and xmpp have different ones, but same functionality) that act like a whatsapp desktop client. Have you ever run whatsapp desktop client on your pc, where you have to pair it with your phone? Same thing, but you do it withing a special "bridge" (usually as a bot) in matrix or xmpp. So you get all the messages in one place. But it doesn't work for calls, just for messages.

I've never heard about those bridges, thanks! I'll have a look.