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Why is Telegram in the HNews so much? Are they part of the YC fraternity? Why do pay so much attention to crypto hucksters? It hasn't been so long since the la
by gohrt 13y ago
Why is Telegram in the HNews so much? Are they part of the YC fraternity? Why do pay so much attention to crypto hucksters?
It hasn't been so long since the last snake oil peddlers had their roasting -- I forget the name, it was some cutesy web-browser "secure" chat thing.
It's cool to report debunkings, but if it weren't for HN, I (and most others?) never would have even seen these products in the first place.
- pgeorgi 13y agoI think the idea is that you get to see the product early so you can warn your activist friends (or your mom) when you happen to see them using it.
- frankzinger 13y ago"It hasn't been so long since the last snake oil peddlers had their roasting -- I forget the name, it was some cutesy web-browser "secure" chat thing." Cryptocat?
- DanBC 13y agoHN is (rightly) interested in easy to use secure software. So when something easy to use claims to be secure HN waits for some of the well known cryptographers here to kick the tires. In this case many people kicked the tires and pointed out some weird obvious flaws. People hoped that Telegram would listen, and seek help and advice, and continue to make a great product. Telegram's actions made the situation worse, and created a pile-on. Telegram made a few mistakes. 1) Smart people without crypto experience designed crypto software, but without getting involvement from cryptographers. 2) They released this product as finished, secure, ready to use. 3) They dismissed concerns. 4) To try to quash those concerns they created a rigged challenge with a high value prize. This is a well known red flag for cryptography software, and it's surprising they weren't aware of it, but as soon as people saw that the pile on accelerated.