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I wonder what would happen if WeChat/TikTok opened up their protocols and let people connect with arbitrary software, including self written and open source stu
by nullc 6y ago
I wonder what would happen if WeChat/TikTok opened up their protocols and let people connect with arbitrary software, including self written and open source stuff.
The malware vector concerns would be gone. They could still spy on communication that wasn't E2E encrypted or impersonate users but that concern arises with essentially every communications service.
- TheDong 6y agoI doubt that realistically it would make any difference. There being open source alternative apps to consume a service means exactly nothing to the officials pushing for this ban. The action seems to be politically motivated, and technical details like "the protocol is open" are not going to be understood by politicians.
- nullc 6y agoMonths before the executive branch took notice there was widespread outcry in computer security circles about tiktok, including on HN. Tiktok was a toxic malware vector, until the executive branch took notice, then it suddenly became a poor victim of political persecution.
- chrchang523 6y agoIt wouldn't make a difference if only client code was open-sourced, sure. But if the entire system was open for Americans to peruse and operate their shards of, that might be a different story. Not saying that is practical, but I've never seen an objection on nationalist grounds to the fully open-source code I wrote from China while employed by a Chinese company in 2012-14.