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Hacktivismo launches ScatterChat
un1xl0ser writes to tell us Hacktivismo has released a new chat program known as ScatterChat. It is a friendly fork of GAIM that "provides end-to-end encryption, integrated onion-routing with Tor, secure file transfers, and easy-to-read documentation." This announcement was made at HOPE, where CDs were distributed. A torrent and several screenshots are also available."
When I saw this post today regarding the public release of ScatterChat, a bad tingle went down my spine, as I sensed that either the FBI or DHS would be "collecting" its co-contributors and possibly also people attending the HOPE conference in New York (..not that they're directly related, as they're not). I've looked into this a little, and I don't believe that Hacktivismo broke the law -- by legally querying databases on an individual who signed his permission over for same. However, ScatterChat is just the type of product that represents a serious threat to our government. Why, you ask? Because of the simple fact that it's algorithms and encryption scheme enable users to communicate anonymously and securely, without any real fear of having that conversation compromised or sniffed successfully. The product is immune to replay attacks and penetration attacks, and it uses a level of encryption that the DoD would consider pretty darn secure! Consider the implications: a terrorist cell communicating with their higher-ups in another country. While I'd be one of the first people to stand up and say that our government isn't *squeaky-clean* itself, it is faced with an awful task of trying to prevent terrorism, or terror-enabling activity, in order to protect it's citizens (us). As interesting as it is to discuss and think about, I'd consider ScatterChat and products of similar ilk, to be a threat to national security, and I'd suggest that the government might well see it that way as well. IMHO, ScatterChat may well have been the real reason that the FBI raided the HOPE conference and arrested Hacktivismo.