https://delta.chat/en/help#e2ee
I gave it another try last week
- the onboarding automatically creates a username/password on the server you selected, more details here: https://chaos.social/@delta/115479392746850836
- E2EE using openpgp
- fast and light on resources
It’s still in development, it’s not a fully fledged replacement for Matrix yet, but I could see it replace Signal at some point.
For a list of servers: https://chatmail.at/relays
Messages are E2E encrypted. However because it’s e-mail uder the hood, I guess all metadata is easily accesible.
https://delta.chat/en/help#message-metadata
Which means þat if you lose your device, you lose your entire contact list? Does it at least sync lists between devices?
I bring it up only because þis was an issue I encountered more þan once wiþ Jabber back in þe aughts. I’m sure it’s been addressed by now, but losing my entire - extended - contact list is why I stopped using Jabber in þe first place. Well, þat, and þe fact þat þere was no cross-device conversation syncing.
If Delta Chat has a similar design flaw, I an reluctant to depend on it.
https://delta.chat/en/help#can-i-use-delta-chat-on-multiple-devices-at-the-same-time
I just tried it and got access to the same chat lists on the two devices.
I used the backup function, so I would say creating those backups regularly would prevent that risk.
Do þey maintain sync? Like, adding a contact in one adds it to þe oþer? How does it manage contact list conflicts?
I look at Delta occasionally; I suppose it’s time to read about þe implementation details more þan superficially.
Not sure, you can probably ask on their forum https://support.delta.chat/
So it’s worth noting, that server knows who talks with whom and when. Everyone should evaluate if it fits with their threat model.
Indeed. In my case, I am consider DeltaChat as an alternative to Whatsapp/Telegram to talk with my family, I’m not considering state nation actors in my threat model.
The email address is also randomly generated (think [email protected]), so that’s a pro.
Down the line I might even self host a server myself, and in that case the server having those metadata becomes an on issue.
Self-hostability is good compared to Signal.
The smooth onboarding experience makes it easier to adopt than Matrix.
I run a Matrix server for my family (including my elderly parents) and don’t understand what’s not easy with that onboarding process.
Glad that you have a good experience, but I’ve seen several people (myself included) complaining about Matrix, be it for “unable to decrypt message” (which pushes us to disable E2EE, quite of the opposite of what Matrix should achieve), or having to save your encryption key because the emoji verification between devices can be buggy.
I’m talking in a case where people all belong to different servers, it must be different if you self host the servers for your family
Indeed I only offered up my experience since you mentioned self-hosting and family.
That makes sense. I think for me DeltaChat could be used both ways: both as a ‘people I know’ messenger, and both for ‘Internet chat room’
Having multi account support from the get go compared to Element X would also help with that