I usually don’t blog about Kickstarter projects (I used to be excited about Kickstarter but have ran into enough disappointing projects that I tend to be cynical about it now), but I’ll make an exception for this one as this project was started by a /talk veteran, Michael.

Michael’s been working on an encrypted messaging application for several years now, and has progressively evolved it into a web based application, making it compatible with the PS4’s web browser. Michael mentions that unfortunately, the application is not compatible with the Vita’s browser as it uses some Javascript that does not work on the portable console.

LunarMessaging can be compared to Hipchat, Telegram, or Whatsapp, but offers some differences in terms of security, open source-ness, and how much information it asks of its users. I won’t go crazy and tell you this is the best project ever (I think, sadly, that one of the flaws of such security-centric projects is that it is difficult for a new kickstarter project to gather trust from the community), but it does look interesting, so check out the kickstarter page if you think this project deserves some attention. Below is a description of LunarMessaging from Michael:

LunarMessaging.net – encrypted messaging on virtually any device

LunarMessaging.net, a project recently published on kickstarter (with a public functional prototype), is trying to shake up the world of encrypted communications. Requiring very little to no information from you, and accessible nearly anywhere you can load a webpage.

It is in some ways unique, unlike Telegram uses trusted RSA and AES encryption for content and messages and unlike whatsapp it will only require an email, no cellphone app or phone number required. And of course similar to both services, all encryption is performed locally on your device not ours meaning we will never have access to any of your communications at any time.

Your privacy is of the utmost importance; the service will never harvest or sell your personal information. And that includes not featuring any advertisements on the site, as we all know how bad these have become recently.

For $5 a year you will have unlimited access on any device of your choosing. This means you have access to the entire service, no “message packs” or other upgrades will ever be offered, as it only makes sense to include these as updates. There might possibly be a free “text only” account, that’s currently being talked about.

There will also be a limited open beta during future development for those wanting to experiment with the service.
https://lunarmessaging.net/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1483928940/lunarmessagingnet

How it Works
For starters the service uses trusted SSL encryption to deliver content to your device. The content itself has also been encrypted beforehand using the same system we use for encrypting messages. This ensures privacy even if your local network, or the messaging servers themselves has been breached.

Then finally we have messaging. Once the full system has been developed, you will create encryption keys for each and every person you communicate with. These keys will randomly generate every few messages, and will be encrypted with your personal password to assure 100% privacy.

Point of Kickstarter
I have spent my personal time over the last year developing this but I work a fulltime job as a software developer. Since I’ve only spent weekends on this project that’s roughly 2-3 real months of work. The point of fundraising is to build somewhat of a following before release that way everyone has someone to talk to. While also funding my time finishing development of the software, bringing it to a product fit for release.

What do you think, fellows?