I recently stumbled upon Keet, which is a peer to peer messaging app with video calls and file sharing.

This app has a lot going for it:

  • The user experience is really good
  • Free and open source EDIT: the UI of Keet in closed atm, but the underlying P2P building blocks are open
  • Privacy friendly (no datacentre, server or middleman between you and the people you are talking to)
  • Better quality since there’s no throttling of traffic
  • No file size limit

I’m baffled that this app seems like a well kept secret, so I just wanted to share it with you guys.

To me, peer to peer technology seems really interesting because it addresses the root cause of many of the harms that plagues the modern day internet: surveillance, platform silos, the market dominance of multi-national tech-conglomerates, energy usage of datacentres, etc.

What do you think? Can P2P be the solution to these problems?

  • belit_deg@lemmy.worldOP
    2·
    4 days ago

    I’m no crypto fan or plan on using micropayments either, but if I don’t use it, where’s the harm?

    • stm@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      1·
      13 hours ago

      Why would you use it anyway ? If you want p2p chat there are options not connected to any blockchain, briar for example.

      but if I don’t use it, where’s the harm?

      The harm is already made by making this application. By using it you help spread idea that p2p=blockchain/crypto which is not the case. It’s just that cryptobros coopt word “p2p” into their language and supposedly they are p2p.

      Same as you don’t have to use their micropayment, there is no reason to use this app also. There are real p2p options, as I said briar for example, or some other p2p chat app without cryptobros bullshit.

      • belit_deg@lemmy.worldOP
        1·
        13 hours ago

        I already listed my reasons for wanting to try out/use it, and they have nothing to do with crypto or micropayments.

        If you can name alternatives with similar functionality made by people who are not affiliated with crypto, I’m all ears. Briar seems great for journalists and activists etc, but it is too limited to be used as a mainstream messenger for keeping in touch with friends and family. Seems like all you can do is send text and emojis, no video chat or photos.

        • stm@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          1·
          9 hours ago

          If you can name alternatives with similar functionality made by people who are not affiliated with crypto, I’m all ears

          https://tox.chat/index.html maybe this, didn’t try it, but it says it has audio/video calls and file sharing.

          How strict are you on going with full p2p, because xmpp is federated(not p2p) and it has nice network of servers working a long time and ok clients to use, Conversations being the best imo. Some of my friends switched their family and friends to xmpp and complaints at all

          • belit_deg@lemmy.worldOP
            1·
            3 hours ago

            I want to communicate with others in a way that is privacy friendly, gives a good user experience and gives me control of my data. Tox seems good, but most of my friends and family have iphones, and none of the clients support that. Today they use Whatsapp, Messenger, etc. Signal would be a big improvement, but as far as I can tell it is still centralized and wants your phone number.

            Maybe XMPP can work, I will check that out.

            P2P caught my interest because of the possibilities that opens up when you remove the middle-man/server (even better call quality, no file size limits). But it doesn’t have to be P2P - I’m just a fan of “local first”, decentralization and democratization of technology in general.