Messengers have been used throughout the entire history of internet development. The first and most significant popularity was gained by the ICQ messenger (I seek you). Jabber also gained considerable popularity, and Mail.ru Agent was convenient for a long time; getting a notification about a new email alongside the messenger was simple and practical.
The second era of messengers arrived with the advent of smartphones and is used to this day. WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Signal, Discord, and others. While previously the choice of a messenger was made in favor of convenience and functionality, now the confidentiality of transmitted data is also taken into account.
Some users believe in the confidentiality of messengers, relying on the creator's word of honor, while others prefer not to risk sending important data when using them, and for good reason.
Messenger Privacy
The fact is that the messenger platform itself is centralized and operates as a classic client-server application; all data exchange occurs through the company's servers.
Any centralized platform has a point of pressure, and there is no individual or group who could resist the state. This is the meaning of 'centralized,' whereas a decentralized platform distributes the point of pressure among all participants, similar to cryptocurrencies.
Statistics show that defiance of one state, after a period of wandering, leads to subjugation by several, which further undermines the original values.
The Solution: Your Own Messenger, Over Email
The thing is, if you launch your own messenger, no one will want to join it. You launch it today, it doesn't take off in a year and you shut it down. Plus, there's no one there, so why bother spending effort inviting people? As soon as it becomes popular, it will either be blocked or brought under control – we already have such messengers, no need to do anything new.
The centralized messenger is becoming a thing of the past; the model itself contradicts its stated values.
It's a different story when a messenger is decentralized. There are no separate servers, all basic functions are already present, and it operates using your email inbox. Sending and receiving messages occurs via the email inbox, and the application itself maintains the correspondence format and provides quick notifications of new messages, as it uses the IMAP protocol. Even if the recipient doesn't have the application installed, they will still receive the message in their email inbox.
However, to avoid cluttering your main inbox, it's better to create an additional one, for example, on your own domain, and use it for the messenger. This is very convenient, especially in a corporate environment. Everyone uses their own resources, and no one is dependent on anyone else.
Delta Chat
Such an application already exists; it's called Delta Chat. The application is cross-platform and has already won the hearts of many users. Visually, it replicates all the necessary functionality of familiar messengers. It's best to start the installation on a smartphone and then add devices using the familiar QR code.
All correspondence will be duplicated in your email. During registration, you need to select:
Create new profile -> Use another server -> Log in with regular email
Screenshots of the application for using your own email. Settings on your email accounts may differ from those shown; clarify details with your service provider, or even better, order hosting from us and use the settings provided – you'll only need to change the address and domain to your own.
Email account settings: full email address and password.
After a successful connection, you will see the familiar chat window.
Delta Chat Features
To invite someone to a chat, you can use a QR code. Since the application works via email, you can send a message directly from it, and it will appear as a chat on your end, while the recipient will see it as an email. For the display to be in chat format, simply send your interlocutor a link to the application or this article.
+ -> New Message -> Subject -> Add Recipients -> Add Contact Manually
Fill in the Name and email address fields for the recipient. Adding a contact needs to be done only once. For example, specify your second email to check how it works.
All attachments you make will be sent as email attachments, whether it's an audio recording or a photo.
When both participants use the application, the display will have the same, familiar appearance.
Delta Chat Traffic Analysis
The application allows pairing with a PC, and the entire profile is synchronized between devices. When exchanging messages, as well as reactions to them in the form of emojis, it is displayed on both devices.
We decided to check the traffic during synchronization. As you can see in the first screenshot, we sent text to a shared chat between devices, and in the second, we marked a reaction with an emoji.
In both cases, the mobile application accessed the domain and IP address of our mail server.
Advantages
The very model of decentralization and operation over existing protocols makes it a truly reliable, secure, and most importantly, independent means of communication.
Authorizing with your own email provides several advantages: email is not tied to a country, like a mobile phone prefix, and you can move your domain and hosting to another provider at any time. Loss or blocking of a SIM card will not lead to a complete loss of communication. Full control over data. The message will reach its destination even without the application.
Considerations
Confidentiality and convenience are always in opposition, and the task is to find a balance between them. The application has classic mail server settings, which can be challenging for a non-IT user.
For some users, data confidentiality is more of a trendy concept, but in reality, their communication doesn't contain secret information. For typical correspondence with family and friends, it's probably not worth overthinking it, and it's unlikely to be practical.
There are also benefits for regular users, such as quickly exchanging a link or photo between their own devices – using the Messages sent to yourself section. Delta Chat has mini-applications and games that can be launched directly in the chat, for example, playing checkers online.
We focus more on the corporate segment; the app actually performs its stated functions, and if you're truly concerned about data privacy, this is an excellent solution.