White Noise's avatar
White Noise 5 months ago
Social networks were meant to unite us. To connect people, ideas, movements. And for a while, they did. But somewhere along the way, something broke. The same platforms that once promised freedom chose a different path: control, manipulation, and data centralization. What started as tools for connection became instruments of control. The platforms we once trusted (social networks, messaging apps, cloud services) turned into chokepoints. Centralized. Fragile. Easy to pressure. Built not for freedom, but for compliance. Every node of control is a point of censorship. Every server, a source of surveillance. When speech depends on permission, it’s no longer speech. It’s submission. A Way Out. Encryption is not just technology, it’s a political act. A gesture of resistance. Over the years, new social networks and messaging platforms emerged, promising freedom. Many failed because they relied on intermediaries: corporations, servers, gatekeepers. CEOs and companies are points of control. They can be pressured, censored, compromised. True freedom demands a system where middle-men are minimized, our trust is rooted in mathmatics, and privacy is cryptographically guaranteed, not a policy written by lawyers. A New Hope. Open Source projects like Linux and Bitcoin have proven that open, distributed networks of people can build systems the world can count on. Systems based on rules, not rulers. Systems that can resist attack. Nostr builds in this same spirit, creating a network where speech can't be silenced, no matter where you're from or who you are. Built on Nostr's open network, White Noise emerges from a deeply held belief: you have the right to speak freely. We're building the world's most secure messenger, one that protects your conversations and your communities and leaves no metadata behind in the process. We run no servers, we collect no data, we have no rulers. White Noise Is: - Encrypted by default: Strong, modern end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is standard, not hidden in a settings menu. Our team has no access to any keys at all. - Private by design: Your identity (or identities) are yours. White Noise doesn't need your phone number, email, or any data about you. - Decentralized: Built on Nostr's global network relays. Data always remains portable and uncaptured; no single entity owns or controls your data or the network. - Resilient against coercion: Open-source governance ensures no one can unilaterally alter terms of service and zero data retention means we can't be forced to give up private data. We Believe in Building 1. A world where Privacy is a Right, not a privilege for the technically elite. 2. Tools that prioritize usability, without compromising privacy. 3. Open protocols, over closed platforms. 4. Trust through transparency. Make some noise. Protect out silence. (Stay tuned)

Replies (27)

FEW_BTC's avatar
FEW_BTC 5 months ago
I knew when I first heard that nostr was being designed as a protocol and not an application that this effort was different and unique. With that said, it seems that increasing the number of relays is key to longevity. I will add this to my nostr list of things to explore. Thank you for all you do and looking forward to exploring your future developments. Peace
I am currently following this project closely, as a FOSS Reporter, and I am looking forward to trying this one out. Badass devs, solid protocol, based on nostr. What else? We need more tools like this, and we need to get them out of the nostr circle. Stop using whataspp, telegram and other messaging app with your loved ones. It will be complex, but for sure it will be worth it. View quoted note →
Great response. I refer to your comment about abuse, spam etc. I've discovered the three dots on the right of anyone who engages - it allows readers to censure - by muting the user and the thread . What am I missing .
.'s avatar
. 5 months ago
Code faster than dystopia
Encryption, decentralization and resilience against coercion are nice features, but they will not shield us against the negativity bias of humans: Most of us simply love content that is negative and sparks outrage
That's one hell of a manifesto! Also really interested in the tech.
White Noise's avatar White Noise
Social networks were meant to unite us. To connect people, ideas, movements. And for a while, they did. But somewhere along the way, something broke. The same platforms that once promised freedom chose a different path: control, manipulation, and data centralization. What started as tools for connection became instruments of control. The platforms we once trusted (social networks, messaging apps, cloud services) turned into chokepoints. Centralized. Fragile. Easy to pressure. Built not for freedom, but for compliance. Every node of control is a point of censorship. Every server, a source of surveillance. When speech depends on permission, it’s no longer speech. It’s submission. A Way Out. Encryption is not just technology, it’s a political act. A gesture of resistance. Over the years, new social networks and messaging platforms emerged, promising freedom. Many failed because they relied on intermediaries: corporations, servers, gatekeepers. CEOs and companies are points of control. They can be pressured, censored, compromised. True freedom demands a system where middle-men are minimized, our trust is rooted in mathmatics, and privacy is cryptographically guaranteed, not a policy written by lawyers. A New Hope. Open Source projects like Linux and Bitcoin have proven that open, distributed networks of people can build systems the world can count on. Systems based on rules, not rulers. Systems that can resist attack. Nostr builds in this same spirit, creating a network where speech can't be silenced, no matter where you're from or who you are. Built on Nostr's open network, White Noise emerges from a deeply held belief: you have the right to speak freely. We're building the world's most secure messenger, one that protects your conversations and your communities and leaves no metadata behind in the process. We run no servers, we collect no data, we have no rulers. White Noise Is: - Encrypted by default: Strong, modern end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is standard, not hidden in a settings menu. Our team has no access to any keys at all. - Private by design: Your identity (or identities) are yours. White Noise doesn't need your phone number, email, or any data about you. - Decentralized: Built on Nostr's global network relays. Data always remains portable and uncaptured; no single entity owns or controls your data or the network. - Resilient against coercion: Open-source governance ensures no one can unilaterally alter terms of service and zero data retention means we can't be forced to give up private data. We Believe in Building 1. A world where Privacy is a Right, not a privilege for the technically elite. 2. Tools that prioritize usability, without compromising privacy. 3. Open protocols, over closed platforms. 4. Trust through transparency. Make some noise. Protect out silence. (Stay tuned)
View quoted note →
alenasatoshi's avatar
alenasatoshi 5 months ago
Lucky to get early test access.. And gotta say @White Noise has the best design of all chat apps I've seen so far. image
White Noise's avatar White Noise
Social networks were meant to unite us. To connect people, ideas, movements. And for a while, they did. But somewhere along the way, something broke. The same platforms that once promised freedom chose a different path: control, manipulation, and data centralization. What started as tools for connection became instruments of control. The platforms we once trusted (social networks, messaging apps, cloud services) turned into chokepoints. Centralized. Fragile. Easy to pressure. Built not for freedom, but for compliance. Every node of control is a point of censorship. Every server, a source of surveillance. When speech depends on permission, it’s no longer speech. It’s submission. A Way Out. Encryption is not just technology, it’s a political act. A gesture of resistance. Over the years, new social networks and messaging platforms emerged, promising freedom. Many failed because they relied on intermediaries: corporations, servers, gatekeepers. CEOs and companies are points of control. They can be pressured, censored, compromised. True freedom demands a system where middle-men are minimized, our trust is rooted in mathmatics, and privacy is cryptographically guaranteed, not a policy written by lawyers. A New Hope. Open Source projects like Linux and Bitcoin have proven that open, distributed networks of people can build systems the world can count on. Systems based on rules, not rulers. Systems that can resist attack. Nostr builds in this same spirit, creating a network where speech can't be silenced, no matter where you're from or who you are. Built on Nostr's open network, White Noise emerges from a deeply held belief: you have the right to speak freely. We're building the world's most secure messenger, one that protects your conversations and your communities and leaves no metadata behind in the process. We run no servers, we collect no data, we have no rulers. White Noise Is: - Encrypted by default: Strong, modern end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is standard, not hidden in a settings menu. Our team has no access to any keys at all. - Private by design: Your identity (or identities) are yours. White Noise doesn't need your phone number, email, or any data about you. - Decentralized: Built on Nostr's global network relays. Data always remains portable and uncaptured; no single entity owns or controls your data or the network. - Resilient against coercion: Open-source governance ensures no one can unilaterally alter terms of service and zero data retention means we can't be forced to give up private data. We Believe in Building 1. A world where Privacy is a Right, not a privilege for the technically elite. 2. Tools that prioritize usability, without compromising privacy. 3. Open protocols, over closed platforms. 4. Trust through transparency. Make some noise. Protect out silence. (Stay tuned)
View quoted note →
In this current climate face to face interaction is not so easy. It is rare in my bubble to find one that has a passion for decentralized platforms . Nostr interaction reflects so many of my learnings that its ramped up my interest to a 10. From developers, to educators, and everything in between .
Bookmarked . I have family coming and I want to share this note with them. Your comprehensive breakdown does a better job, than what I could do. Thank you. Don't hold your breath. They think I'm looney tune. I divorced fb, X, - their mode of communication . I don't use mobile. I email, when I get round to it. I'm too busy learning stuff. I've taken my time back and will not let anyone waste my time. My time is limited - so I focus on how to make a better future for the young ones. Their future is bleak. I owe them for being a sleepwalker most of my life.
I'll take a look at this. But right at this moment something happening in our household. Ambulance has arrived . For one of the geriatrics .
I am very sorry to hear that an ambulance has arrived for one of your family members. That sounds incredibly stressful. Please focus on what's happening in your household right now. I'll be here if you need anything later. I'm hoping for the best for your family member. ❤️Jack
He's in hospital . Waiting for a scan. Suspected stroke. Thank you for your kind words. We're 3 geriatrics sharing a house. None of us want to go into care. We're not at the stage of needing home help. Fiercely independent and respectful to each other. They watch TV and go to fitness class. I stay home and read stuff. Vowed to learn one new thing every day since Covid lockdown. Awesome journey .
Great project! A macOS .dmg version would be phenomenal to test out. If your project is open source (which it is) and allows the flexible and customizable download/hosting/saving of Nostr messages (in groups also as it seems to do!) then it's very useful. Because it basically becomes a truly uncensorable (and local-first) form of Whatsapp or Telegram. I want to download text messages from certain groups, people, filter out videos or images from others, etc. This customization would make it gold! The gold in my view is clearly in mixing the P2P and Relay aspect. A local P2P instance using relays to perpetuate content is the holy grail of decentralized communication in my view! Thanks very much for the project!
White Noise's avatar
White Noise 5 months ago
A desktop app of White Noise is planned, work has not yet begun. PRs welcome if you want to help build it faster! But even better, White Noise is built on the open Nostr MLS standard, so you can write your own client from scratch, and be interoperable with the rest of the network.