(https://antipolygraph.org/graphics/chat-room-home-page-tor-browser.jpg)
Chat room welcome screen in Tor Browser
We now have a new and improved chat room (https://chat.antipolygraph.org) with greatly expanded features over the previous one. New features include:
- ability to register a persistent account (you can still participate as an anonymous guest);
- ability to delete your own posts;
- end-to-end encrypted direct messaging;
- audio posting;
- video posting;
- secure audio/video calling via Jitsi Meet
- file sharing.
The chat server, like the main AntiPolygraph.org website, is physically located in The Netherlands and can only be reached through an encrypted connection (HTTPS).
The chat server (https://chat.antipolygraph.org) runs a free, open source chat program called Rocket.Chat (https://rocket.chat). While the server can be accessed with any desktop or mobile browser, including Tor Browser, dedicated desktop and mobile apps are also available.
By using the desktop and/or mobile app, you can receive notifications when new messages are posted.
(https://antipolygraph.org/graphics/rocketchat-desktop-client.jpg)
RocketChat desktop app
(https://antipolygraph.org/graphics/rocketchat-mobile-client.jpg)
RocketChat mobile app
All are welcome to check out the new chat room at:
https://chat.antipolygraph.org
A bug in the chat room software had prevented guest posting on the chat room since at least November of 2022. With the latest Rocket.Chat update, this bug has now been fixed:
https://chat.antipolygraph.org
We are thinking to retire the current chat room (https://chat.antipolygraph.org), which is running on a virtual private server, and replacing it with a serverless chat group. This would have a privacy advantage in that it would make the electronic surveillance of participants more difficult.
One option is to switch to the existing Signal group chat. All are welcome to join that group here:
https://antipolygraph.org/s/signal-group
However, a private messaging platform called SimpleX Chat (https://simplex.chat/) appears to offer more robust privacy protections. With Signal, a new user joining might inadvertently divulge their true name, if that name is associated with their Signal profile.
We have created a SimpleX Chat group that, if satisfactory, may end up replacing the existing chat room. All are invited to help evaluate it via the following link:
https://antipolygraph.org/s/simplex-group
Evgeny Poberezkin, the founder of SimpleX Chat, which we are considering as a replacement for our existing chat room, recently gave an online presentation about the platform that may be of interest:
https://www.youtube.com/live/DMOLtj7Q3Oo
SimpleX Chat seems to be suitable to our purpose, and links to our chat room have been updated to point to it. The old chat room will remain online until at least the end of the month to allow users time to save any messages they may wish to keep.