The developers of the GNUnet framework, designed to build secure decentralized P2P networks that do not have a single point of failure and can guarantee the inviolability of users' private information, introduced the first version of libgnunetchat library 0.1.0. The library facilitates the use of GNUnet technologies and the GNUnet Messenger service to create secure chat applications.
libgnunetchat provides a separate layer of abstraction on top of GNUnet Messenger which includes the generic functionality used in messengers.
The developer should concentrate on creating a graphical interface using the GUI toolkit of their choice and not worry about the components related to the organization of the chat and the interaction between users. Client implementations built on top of libgnunetchat remain compatible with each other and can interact with each other.
To ensure confidentiality and protection against interception of messages, CADET protocol is used (Confidential Ad-hoc Decentralized End-to-End Transport), which allows to organize a completely decentralized interaction between a group of users using end-to-end encryption of the transmitted data.
Users have the opportunity to send messages and files. Access to messages in archives is limited to group members. A distributed hash table (DHT) or special entry points can be used to coordinate interaction between participants in a decentralized network.
In addition to Messenger, libgnunetchat also uses GNUnet services, such as:
- GPS (GNU Name System, a fully decentralized and uncensorable replacement for DNS) to determine entries posted on public chat pages (lobbies), open a chat, and exchange credentials.
- ARM (Auto Restart Manager) to automate the launch of all GNUnet services needed to run.
- FS (File Sharing) to securely download, send and organize shared files (all information is transmitted only in encrypted form, and the use of the GAP protocol does not allow to track who published and downloaded the file).
IDENTITY to create, delete and manage accounts, as well as to check the settings of another user. - NAMESTORE to store address book and chat information locally and to post entries on chat pages accessible via GNS.
- REGEX to post information about the participants, allowing you to quickly form a public group chat on a specific topic.
As for the key features of the first version of libgnunetchat, highlights include Account Management (create, view, delete) and the ability to switch between different accounts while you work.
Possibility to change the name of the account and update the key.
As well as the exchange of contacts through public chat pages (lobbies). Information about the user can be obtained both in the form of a text link and in the form of a QR code, in addition to the fact that contacts and groups can be managed separately, it is possible to link different nicknames to different groups.
Ability to request and open a direct chat with any participant from the address book, support for sending text messages, files and file sharing as well as support for sending an acknowledgment that a message has been read and the ability to check status receiving a message.
Of the other changes that stand out in this new version:
- Abstraction of user and chat views to simplify fitting into the desired interface.
- The ability to automatically delete messages after a specified time.
- Flexible options for managing files in a chat, for example, you can arrange to display a thumbnail of the content while leaving the content itself in encrypted form.
- The ability to connect controllers to track all operations (load, send, delete indexes).
- Support for accepting invitations to connect to new chats.
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