I don't see any source code, also can anyone confirm if it's E2E and if it routes through meta servers? A statement from Meta doesn't give me any confidence in it's validity until there's open source.
WhatsApp introduced Third-Party Chats in Europe earlier this year. BirdyChat connects through this official DMA interface and does not use any workarounds. All communication between BirdyChat and WhatsApp users is end-to-end encrypted.
Yeah my view of meta isn't changed the slightest by this. The Dutch court ruled against Facebook last year and they had to make a change 'before the end of the year' to avoid being fined, they rolled out the update with the fix literally the last hour before midnight december 31st. If they can profit, they will. If the fine was low enough, they might just as well have decided to just (continue to) break the law and pay the fines.
Terms and Conditions contains minor typos. Sounds like it creates shadow profiles or collects info of non-BirdyChat users, data is still being sent to WhatsApp. On Android the CHECK_LICENSE permission is used, so you need to have an active Google account on your device. I don't use any alternative ROMs, but I don't have a Google account. Usually, that means I won't be able to use the application.
19 Comments
in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social · 54 pts · 198d
I don't see any source code, also can anyone confirm if it's E2E and if it routes through meta servers? A statement from Meta doesn't give me any confidence in it's validity until there's open source.
bdonvr@thelemmy.club · 25 pts · 197d
It's also important to know that E2E is a great step, but having Meta knowing who you talk to and how often is still bad.
And as long as Meta has control over the frontend that receives the messages, they could compromise your "E2E encrypted" messages at any time.
But hey it's a step in the right direction.
in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social · 3 pts · 197d
Yes routing through Meta servers is a big problem as they often collaborate with US intelligence.
huppakee@piefed.social · 36 pts · 198d
Nice
Bababasti@feddit.org · 11 pts · 197d
I mean, yeah, but WhatsApp probably didn’t do this out of generosity but because regulations forced them to, so it’s actually: Nice
huppakee@piefed.social · 5 pts · 197d
Yeah my view of meta isn't changed the slightest by this. The Dutch court ruled against Facebook last year and they had to make a change 'before the end of the year' to avoid being fined, they rolled out the update with the fix literally the last hour before midnight december 31st. If they can profit, they will. If the fine was low enough, they might just as well have decided to just (continue to) break the law and pay the fines.
pasdechance@jlai.lu · 31 pts · 197d
No thanks. Not gonna use that.
Terms and Conditions contains minor typos. Sounds like it creates shadow profiles or collects info of non-BirdyChat users, data is still being sent to WhatsApp. On Android the
CHECK_LICENSEpermission is used, so you need to have an active Google account on your device. I don't use any alternative ROMs, but I don't have a Google account. Usually, that means I won't be able to use the application.Anekdoteles@feddit.org · 12 pts · 197d
This whole thing is nothing more than malicious compliance by Meta anyways. If BirdyChat was an honest competition, they would just buy it.
homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 198d
What’s the one that has nothing to do with WhatsApp
LowtierComputer@feddit.org · 12 pts · 197d
Signal?
freeman@feddit.org · 4 pts · 197d
Beeper?
ComfortableRaspberry@feddit.org · 3 pts · 197d
Threema?
birdwing@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 196d
Wired?
ClassifiedPancake@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 197d
ICQ?
copacetic@discuss.tchncs.de · 6 pts · 197d
One problem is that WhatsApp users need to opt-in to communicate with BirdyChat: https://i.imgur.com/0gKY76z.png
Kissaki@feddit.org · 3 pts · 196d
That smells illegal. That's not interoperability as intended.
Malicious compliance. Another round of demands, lawsuits, and pressuring with fines, I guess.
Let's hope the opt-in is an intermediate state and part of a gradual rollout.
Damarus@feddit.org · 5 pts · 198d
Is it good? How do you get in?
v3r4@lemmy.org · 1 pts · 197d
I really hope you aren't spending tax money on this shit
TechieDamien@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 197d
Mautrix side eyeing the article