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Encryption is actually incredibly hard. This is why it took whatsapp and other apps centrally doing it, and coordinating it between devices, to make end-to-end
by rocqua 6y ago
Encryption is actually incredibly hard. This is why it took whatsapp and other apps centrally doing it, and coordinating it between devices, to make end-to-end encryption commonly used.
- emteycz 6y agoUX is hard, not encryption.
- ric2b 6y agoEncryption is also hard but there are many open source solutions available. I agree that UX for secure encryption is more of an open problem.
- noodlesoups 6y agoUsing established methods is not difficult, though making a good crypto to begin with absolutely is.
- rocqua 6y agoThe difficulty is using the established methods to build out a whole system that is workable in realistic conditions. A system that handle sending messages when one party is off-line. A system that doesn't require up-front key agreement between all parties. A system that handles moving devices somewhat gracefully. A system that gives decent guarantees on the identity of your counter party, without being very onerous. Making a system that meets the above requirements and others I missed, and that remains as usable as if the encryption weren't there is hard.