Stories with Tag group chat

• U.S. national-security leaders included me in a group chat

  permalink

  Posted: 2025-03-24 16:23:55

  Verbose tl;dr

  A writer for The Atlantic was accidentally added to a Signal group chat containing several prominent figures discussing national security matters, including a former National Security Advisor, a former CIA Director, and a retired four-star general. The chat's purpose seemed to be coordinating public statements and media appearances related to an escalating international conflict. The writer was quickly removed after pointing out the error, but not before observing discussions about strategic messaging, potential military responses, and internal disagreements on how to handle the crisis. While the exact details of the conflict and the participants remain unnamed to protect sensitive information, the incident highlights the potential for communication mishaps in the digital age, even at the highest levels of government.

  In a remarkable, almost comical, confluence of technological miscommunication and high-stakes national security, the author, identified as Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, recounts an improbable tale of being inadvertently included in a text-message group chat populated by prominent figures within the Trump administration's national-security apparatus. This digital forum, seemingly intended for the discreet dissemination of sensitive information pertaining to potential military actions, became, through an apparent clerical error involving a mistyped phone number, an open window for Mr. Goldberg into the inner workings, albeit briefly, of the highest echelons of American defense planning. The article meticulously details the author's initial bewilderment at receiving cryptic and fragmented messages discussing matters of grave international import, including, among other things, the deployment of naval assets and strategic responses to perceived geopolitical threats. These dispatches, delivered in the staccato and informal language characteristic of text messaging, starkly contrasted with the weighty subject matter they addressed, creating a surreal atmosphere of incongruity. Mr. Goldberg describes his attempts to decipher the meaning of these communications, initially suspecting a prank or perhaps an elaborate phishing scheme. However, the escalating seriousness of the messages, coupled with the recognizable names attached to them, gradually led him to the unsettling realization that he was an unwitting recipient of confidential government deliberations. The article further elaborates upon Mr. Goldberg's subsequent actions, which included reaching out to a personal acquaintance within the intelligence community to confirm the veracity of the situation and, ultimately, informing the relevant authorities of the apparent security breach. The narrative underscores the potential for even the most sophisticated security protocols to be undermined by simple human error in the age of ubiquitous digital communication, offering a poignant commentary on the intersection of technology, human fallibility, and the precarious balance of global power. The incident, while seemingly resolved without significant consequence, serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities inherent in relying on technology for the secure transmission of highly sensitive information and highlights the unexpected ways in which seemingly minor mistakes can have far-reaching implications in the realm of international affairs.

  • US National Security
  • Politics
  • Trump Administration
  • group chat
  • Accidental Text
  • War Plans
  • military
  • Government
  • Cybersecurity
  • Communication
  • Error
  • Technology
  • The Atlantic

  Summary of Comments ( 537 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43462783

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters are highly skeptical of the Atlantic article's premise, questioning its plausibility and the author's motivations. Several suggest the author was likely added to a spam or scam group chat, mistaking it for a genuine communication from national security officials. Others highlight the unlikelihood of such high-ranking officials using a standard SMS group chat for sensitive information, citing secure communication protocols as the norm. Some commenters criticize The Atlantic for publishing the piece, deeming it poorly researched and sensationalized. The lack of technical details and verification also draws criticism, with some suggesting the author fabricated the story for attention. A few entertain the possibility of a genuine mistake, perhaps involving an intern or contractor, but remain largely unconvinced.

  The Hacker News post "U.S. national-security leaders included me in a group chat," linking to an Atlantic article about an accidental inclusion in a seemingly sensitive text message group, has generated a moderate amount of discussion, with several commenters expressing skepticism and exploring alternative explanations for the incident.

  Many comments focus on the plausibility of the author's account. Several users question whether high-ranking officials would use SMS for such sensitive communications, suggesting more secure platforms would be standard practice. One commenter speculates it could be a phishing attempt or other social engineering ploy targeting government officials, using the accidental inclusion as a lure. Another proposes the group might not be as significant as presented, perhaps related to a less sensitive project or even a social gathering.

  Doubts also arise regarding the technical details. Commenters point out that the author's description of adding and removing participants doesn't align with standard SMS group messaging functionality. Some suggest the communication might have occurred through a different platform, such as iMessage or WhatsApp, which offer features more closely resembling the author's description. This leads to further speculation about the nature of the group and the likelihood of such a misdirected communication.

  A few comments offer alternative explanations for the incident. One commenter suggests it could be a deliberate leak disguised as an accident, intended to spread disinformation or gauge public reaction. Another hypothesizes the author might have been intentionally included as part of a wider communication strategy, perhaps to subtly inform or influence certain individuals.

  While several comments entertain the possibility of the story being true, a prevalent theme is cautious skepticism. The lack of corroborating evidence and the unusual circumstances of the alleged incident prompt many commenters to question the narrative's veracity. They highlight the importance of critical thinking and verifying information before accepting it as factual. There is no outright dismissal of the story, but the prevailing sentiment is one of reserved judgment pending further information.

• Revolt: Open-Source Alternative to Discord

  permalink

  Posted: 2025-03-06 08:47:32

  Verbose tl;dr

  Revolt is a free and open-source alternative to Discord, offering a similar feature set with a focus on user privacy and community control. It features text and voice channels, direct messaging, file sharing, rich text editing, and voice chat, all hosted on its own servers. Revolt aims to provide a transparent and extensible platform, allowing users to self-host or contribute to its development. Its client is available on desktop and web, with mobile apps planned for the future. The project prioritizes community involvement and customization, giving users more control over their communication experience.

  Revolt presents itself as a robust, open-source alternative to the popular communication platform, Discord, emphasizing user freedom and control. The project aims to provide a fully-featured chat experience comparable to Discord, but with the added benefits of transparency and community-driven development inherent in open-source software. Revolt boasts a comprehensive set of features, including direct messaging, server creation with customizable roles and permissions, voice and video calling capabilities, file sharing, and rich text formatting. Furthermore, the platform prioritizes user privacy and data security, offering end-to-end encryption options and self-hosting possibilities, empowering users to maintain complete control over their communication data. This self-hosting option allows individuals and communities to operate their own Revolt instances, independent of any centralized authority, further solidifying the principle of decentralization.

  The platform's open-source nature facilitates community contributions, allowing developers and users to contribute code, identify and fix bugs, and propose new features. This collaborative approach fosters a dynamic environment where the platform can continually evolve and adapt to the needs of its users. Revolt also champions customizability, offering a range of themes and plugins to personalize the user interface and extend functionality. This allows users to tailor the platform to their specific preferences and integrate with other services. The project aspires to create a viable and thriving alternative to proprietary communication platforms, providing a community-owned and controlled space for online interaction, collaboration, and community building, all while maintaining a high level of performance and feature parity with established alternatives. By prioritizing open access, community involvement, and user autonomy, Revolt seeks to establish a new paradigm for online communication that prioritizes freedom and control in the hands of the users.

  • Revolt
  • Discord
  • Alternative
  • open-source
  • Chat
  • Messaging
  • Communication
  • instant messaging
  • VoIP
  • group chat
  • Community
  • privacy
  • self-host
  • Federation
  • Matrix
  • XMPP
  • Decentralized

  Summary of Comments ( 264 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43277918

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discussed Revolt's potential as a Discord alternative, praising its open-source nature and commitment to user privacy. Several commenters expressed interest in self-hosting, viewing it as a significant advantage. Some questioned Revolt's long-term viability and ability to compete with Discord's network effects and feature set, while others pointed to Matrix as a more established alternative. Concerns were also raised about moderation challenges and potential abuse on a decentralized platform. A few users shared their positive experiences using Revolt, highlighting its performance and clean interface, though acknowledging it's still under development. Overall, the comments reflect cautious optimism about Revolt, with many hoping it succeeds but recognizing the hurdles it faces.

  The Hacker News post titled "Revolt: Open-Source Alternative to Discord" sparked a discussion with a moderate number of comments, primarily focusing on Revolt's potential, its comparison to Discord and Matrix, and the challenges of building a successful open-source community platform.

  Several commenters expressed interest in Revolt as a viable alternative to Discord, praising its open-source nature and potential for greater user control and privacy. Some voiced frustration with Discord's perceived shift towards commercialization and centralization, seeing Revolt as a promising solution. However, many also acknowledged the significant network effect enjoyed by Discord, questioning whether Revolt could realistically compete with such an established player.

  A recurring theme in the discussion was the comparison between Revolt and Matrix. Some commenters argued that Matrix, with its decentralized architecture and existing user base, offered a more robust and mature alternative to Discord. They questioned the need for another similar platform, suggesting that efforts might be better spent contributing to the Matrix ecosystem. Others countered this by pointing to perceived usability issues with Matrix and its steeper learning curve, arguing that Revolt's simpler, more Discord-like interface could attract a wider audience.

  The challenges of building a thriving community were also discussed, with commenters emphasizing the importance of moderation, feature development, and user experience. Some expressed concerns about potential moderation difficulties and the risk of Revolt becoming a haven for undesirable communities if not managed carefully. Others highlighted the need for consistent development and a clear roadmap to build trust and attract users.

  Several technical aspects of Revolt were also touched upon, including its use of technologies like Rust and Postgres, with some commenters praising these choices while others raised questions about scalability and performance.

  Overall, the comments reflected a mixture of cautious optimism and pragmatic skepticism about Revolt's prospects. While acknowledging its potential and the appeal of an open-source alternative to Discord, many commenters recognized the significant hurdles faced by any new platform attempting to compete in this space. The discussion highlighted the importance of community building, user experience, and careful consideration of existing alternatives like Matrix.