In previous episodes we discussed how powerful social media companies had become due to the copious amounts of data they mined. In this latest episode of Decentralize Me, we’re delving into the realm of messaging apps

Communication apps such as Messenger, Telegram and WhatsApp provide us with a convenient way to keep in touch with anyone, wherever they are in the world. 

But this freedom of communication has to come at a cost. And what if you knew that people could be listening in or reading your messages, as well as your database, even though the messages themselves were sent encrypted, end to end?

“Whenever you sign up for these apps, you have to accept their terms and conditions. And if you're like me, I've never read these documents. And it is this trusting attitude of just accepting that has led us to give up our digital rights.”

So what can we do to still communicate freely, yet retain control of our data?

Sense Chat is a decentralised message system that allows you to disconnect from the data hungry apps, while still connecting securely to friends and family.  

“This is the first system I've seen that has a peer to peer verification system where you vouch for people. This alone is a great idea.”

To find out more about Sense, encryption, metadata (and how the CIA used metadata to kill people), and how the likes of messenger and WhatsApp, collect all this metadata, share it and sell it, download and listen to this latest episode of Decentralize Me.

On today’s podcast:

• The issue of communication apps
• The value of metadata
• Sense Chat
• Asymmetric end to end encryption
• Insecurity of VOIP

Links:

• http://www.sense.chat/
• www.decentralizeme.fm