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Ask HN: Would you pay for a Private Chat Room app with disappearing messages?

4 points by muddi900 ↗ HN
Hello

I have an idea for an app. It would IRC/ICQ-esque chatrooms, where only 1000 messages at a time will be allowed all other messages will be deleted. There will be no tracking or ads. There will some basic telmetry, a la Apple, and most expected 'basic' features, image sharing and voice sharing, would require payment. Would you use such an app?

12 comments

[ 5.8 ms ] story [ 35.0 ms ] thread
asaddhamani
There are plenty of free options and if my messages aren’t even stored I don’t see a point in paying.
muddi900
If the messages aren't stored, they can't be subpoenaed. At least that is my idea.

Thank you for your feedback.

Guest19023892
1. What happens if the government requests access to the servers and the enabling of logs as a matter of national security?

2. It seems like you're simply going to store 1,000 of the latest messages on your server. In a less active chat room could be weeks worth of history.

In short, you're claiming privacy is your selling feature. However, it doesn't seem very secure, so it's not going to appeal to people that are serious about security. As for casual people, if I'm a Discord user, does this sound like a great sales pitch?

1. Private messaging is removed.

2. Chat history is reduced to minutes or weeks depending on room activity.

3. I need to pay for sharing images or voice.

I think you'll struggle with this concept. If you said your goal was to make ephemeral chat rooms, so people could be more carefree with their messages, I could understand the selling point. But, instead you're talking about a watered down Discord in exchange for some security theater. I don't see the appeal for anyone there.

Lastly, let's say I'm wrong and you do start gaining traction and you're on to something. What prevents Discord from adding that same feature, and giving chat room owners the ability to limit history? How do you compete?

muddi900
This is great feedback. And I love your idea on the position the ephemerality, rather than privacy.

I am not trying to build a Unicorn, so I have no problem with Discord copying me. This will be a side gig. If it is even feasible.

Thanks again for the feedback.

approxim8ion
If Signal were to up and die, maybe. But I don't see the advantage this has over a Signal room with disappearing messages enabled. And Signal's advantage is that me and my entire network is already on it.
muddi900
This would something like Chatrooms only. No direct messages. I am trying to recreate the early IRC experience, with privacy in mind. I am not trying to upend Signal or WhatsApp. Would that change your opinion?

Edit: thanks for the feedback

thegeekbin
You're late to the party. Matrix & Element do a fine job at this, and can be easily customized.
muddi900
I am just looking for a side gig, so I don't mind competition. In fact it helps me. I don't need to do much market validation.

Thank you for pointing me towards these.

thegeekbin
If you want to do anything, build it on-top of Matrix (the protocol).
approxim8ion
I appreciate you having that clarity of vision, unfortunately I haven't spent a whole lot of time on IRC. This does sound similar to what Matrix does, though.

Every conversation on Matrix is a room. A "direct message" is just a room with two people in it.

elfret
is it already tested for use..and how is it ranked on playstore