#mastondon Friends!
-
@jarango My thinking exactly. My concern is that there are some peolple that really want it and I'm trying to suss out how important it is to them (and why) What I'm getting so far from this thread is quite the opposite.
@scottjenson I can imagine encryption would be a very important feature for lots of folks drawn to the Fediverse.
-
@scottjenson I think just knowing that the DMs are not encrypted is enough IMHO. If you want something encrypted use Signal.
@phillycodehound @scottjenson Agree that Signal would cover it for most people, but some (like me) can't get a Signal account because we don't own a cellphone...
(I'm not saying that the numbers are large enough to justify adding it here, just pointing out that not everyone can use Signal even if we want to.)
-
@phillycodehound @scottjenson I was going to say that I pretty much feel the same, but on the other hand, Bluesky *kind of* has this feature now already?
Maybe something like this would work here as well rather than built-in?
@stefan
That's interesting! But it kind of begs the question how you're using encrypted communication. I get that you can launch this Germ app from within Bluesky as a convenience, that's cool, but if you're REALLY using encrypted communication, you're not going to be using it exclusively from Bluesky.Others have said it but I'm thinking the venn diagram of people that need encrypted messaging (which is huge and valid) is quite distinct from people that need private mentions on a microblogging platform.
-
@phillycodehound @scottjenson Agree that Signal would cover it for most people, but some (like me) can't get a Signal account because we don't own a cellphone...
(I'm not saying that the numbers are large enough to justify adding it here, just pointing out that not everyone can use Signal even if we want to.)
@asmaloney @phillycodehound Fair enough, but there are other encrypted messaging apps other than Signal yes?
-
@asmaloney @phillycodehound Fair enough, but there are other encrypted messaging apps other than Signal yes?
@scottjenson @phillycodehound Maybe there are, but that's where everyone I would want to communicate with are.
-
@scottjenson I can imagine encryption would be a very important feature for lots of folks drawn to the Fediverse.
@jarango bingo, now you know what I'm kind of making a strong point to get a feeling about how strongly people actually feel about this.
My point is that encrypted communication is very valuable, but it's usage is quite distinct from microblogging. I'm trying to understand who needs it WITHIN Mastodon (vs just switching to an app that specializes in and likely will do a better job if I'm honest)
-
@crackhappy @phillycodehound Kind of where I'm coming from. I'm making this point a bit "in the open" not to say any decision is made, but to see if I'm missing something important.
-
@mattwilcox all fair points!
-
@mattwilcox all fair points!
@mattwilcox My issue is simple: Should Mastodon replace Signal? Given how good it is, I'm trying to understand it's place in the world vs ours?
-
@neal OOOOOh, that's a cool point! Thank you. What are you suggesting, that PMs are ONLY 1:1?
-
@mattwilcox My issue is simple: Should Mastodon replace Signal? Given how good it is, I'm trying to understand it's place in the world vs ours?
@scottjenson No. But if you offer “DMs” or “private mentions” you have to fulfil on that. You can not palm it off to other services. Nor do you need to replace other services. You just have to deliver on the implicit promise.
I think it’s unfair to assume users will know or find out that “here” DM/private acts differently to every other service using those terms.
So either fix that; or rebrand those things.
-
@jarango bingo, now you know what I'm kind of making a strong point to get a feeling about how strongly people actually feel about this.
My point is that encrypted communication is very valuable, but it's usage is quite distinct from microblogging. I'm trying to understand who needs it WITHIN Mastodon (vs just switching to an app that specializes in and likely will do a better job if I'm honest)
@scottjenson as often happens in UX, it comes down to ontology.
Is this a place for publishing or communicating? Are DMs in service primarily to facilitating the former or exclusively for the latter?
Someone has to decide. I can't imagine that's easy in a volunteer-driven org.
-
#mastondon Friends!
There is a TON of improvements we could make to Private Mentions (often called DMs on other platforms) e.g.
* getting them out of the public timeline
* Having a stronger notification tied to the Private Mention tab
* (amount other things)But here is my MAIN question: How critical is it that these message are encrypted? I'm not against encryption! It's just complex and will take time. If we were to make some UX changes as a first pass WITHOUT encryption would you be OK with that (at least for now?)
If you MUST have encryption, that's fine, please do me the favor of replying explaining why you need it.
Yes, I need it.
Because I do not trust you, the admin.
I also don't trust those who will seize servers. -
#mastondon Friends!
There is a TON of improvements we could make to Private Mentions (often called DMs on other platforms) e.g.
* getting them out of the public timeline
* Having a stronger notification tied to the Private Mention tab
* (amount other things)But here is my MAIN question: How critical is it that these message are encrypted? I'm not against encryption! It's just complex and will take time. If we were to make some UX changes as a first pass WITHOUT encryption would you be OK with that (at least for now?)
If you MUST have encryption, that's fine, please do me the favor of replying explaining why you need it.
@scottjenson broadly, encryption for DMs on a social network isn't something I'd expect.
Would any of the proposed changes to DMs trigger age-verification requirements in the UK, Australia, etc?
-
@scottjenson broadly, encryption for DMs on a social network isn't something I'd expect.
Would any of the proposed changes to DMs trigger age-verification requirements in the UK, Australia, etc?
@mia Honestly I hadn't even thought of that, thank you for bringing it up!
-
Yes, I need it.
Because I do not trust you, the admin.
I also don't trust those who will seize servers.@katzenberger Fair enough, but can you tell me when you'd use it on Mastodon vs when you'd use it for Signal? I'm trying to understand if Mastodon, by implementing this is likely to replace Signal usage for many people? I don't think it will so I'm trying to understand WHY you'd need it in Mastodon when you just use an app that specializes in this.
-
@scottjenson as often happens in UX, it comes down to ontology.
Is this a place for publishing or communicating? Are DMs in service primarily to facilitating the former or exclusively for the latter?
Someone has to decide. I can't imagine that's easy in a volunteer-driven org.
@jarango
Now you know what we're moving towards this more pubic way of discussing things. It's not enough to make a decision, we have to bring the community along with us. -
@neal I will be thinking ALOT about this comment. Thank you for explaining it. Very much appreciated.
-
@jarango bingo, now you know what I'm kind of making a strong point to get a feeling about how strongly people actually feel about this.
My point is that encrypted communication is very valuable, but it's usage is quite distinct from microblogging. I'm trying to understand who needs it WITHIN Mastodon (vs just switching to an app that specializes in and likely will do a better job if I'm honest)
@scottjenson @jarango it feels like there is an overlap between microblogging and private messages.
Sometimes the microblog topic opens up a conversation that you would like to follow up in private.
At the moment you need to switch service which adds friction.
But I get your point in not wanting to build another messaging app when there are good ones like Jami.net, Signal, XMPP, etc.
Have you thought about linking messaging accounts to reduce friction?
-
#mastondon Friends!
There is a TON of improvements we could make to Private Mentions (often called DMs on other platforms) e.g.
* getting them out of the public timeline
* Having a stronger notification tied to the Private Mention tab
* (amount other things)But here is my MAIN question: How critical is it that these message are encrypted? I'm not against encryption! It's just complex and will take time. If we were to make some UX changes as a first pass WITHOUT encryption would you be OK with that (at least for now?)
If you MUST have encryption, that's fine, please do me the favor of replying explaining why you need it.
As long as there's a "hey, this isn't encrypted!" Kind of Disclaimer, I'm fine. If we wanted encryption, there's other apps or services. But, I don't want people to mistakingly share sensitive info on this platform.
That said, encryption in the future would be amazing, but I prefer other improvements not be blocked by that for the moment.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login