The (near) future of messaging isn’t just quantum-resistant. It’s decentralized
Every year, a16z puts out its Big Ideas List. It's 17 things that various a16z crypto partners (plus a few guest contributors) observe about what’s ahead. I was lucky to be included this year. Check out the whole list here and read my Big Idea below.
As the world prepares for quantum computing, many messaging apps built on encryption (Apple, Signal, WhatsApp) have led the way, all doing great work. The problem is that every major messenger relies on our trusting a private server run by a single organization. Those servers are an easy target for governments to shut down, backdoor, or coerce into giving up private data.
What good is quantum encryption if a country can shut down one’s servers; if a company has a key to the private server; or even if a company has a private server? Private servers require “trust me” — but having no private server means “you don’t have to trust me.” Communication doesn’t need a single company in the middle. Messaging needs open protocols where we don’t have to trust anyone.
The way we get there is by decentralizing the network: No private servers. No single app. All open source code. Best-in-class encryption — including against quantum threats. With an open network there is no single person, company, non-profit, or country that can take away our ability to communicate. Even if a country or company does shut down an app, 500 new versions will pop up the next day. Shut down a node and there is an economic incentive (thanks to blockchains and more) for a new one to take its place immediately.
When people own their messages like they own their money — with a key — everything changes. Apps may come and go, but people will always keep control of their messages and identity; the end users can now own their messages, even if not the app.
This is greater than quantum resistance and encryption; it’s ownership and decentralization. Without both, all we’re doing is building unbreakable encryption that can still be switched off.
~Shane Mac, co-founder and CEO, XMTP Labs
Check out XMTP here.