Encrypting group chats: when the text is protected
In a group, many people write from different devices and versions. That is why end-to-end encryption for groups on Friendstime only applies under one condition. Here you find an honest account of when the text is protected, what is never encrypted and what to keep in mind.
Two kinds of groups
Friendstime has two kinds of groups. In the messenger you create chat groups with up to 50 other people. There are also community groups with their own area for posts; their group chat exists on the web and in the Android app, but it is not end-to-end encrypted. Everything this page says about encryption concerns the chat groups in the messenger.
The condition: every member is up to date
The text of chat groups is end-to-end encrypted with the post-quantum method ML-KEM-768 once all members use a current app or the web messenger. Each member then receives the key for the text via ML-KEM-768, and the server only stores encrypted text. As long as a single member still uses an older version, the group stays unencrypted. Older messages from before remain readable; nothing is encrypted after the fact.
What is not promised in groups
For voice messages, pictures, videos and files in groups we do not promise end-to-end encryption; they are protected in transit at the least. Calls in groups and live streams are encrypted in transit only. View-once photos are not available in groups. And as with any messenger, the server knows who belongs to the group and who writes when, so that messages can be delivered.
Moments and polls in the group
On Friendstime, chat games are called Moments. New Moments are end-to-end encrypted (ML-KEM-768 with AES-256-GCM) when everyone in the chat has set up encryption; otherwise Friendstime asks first whether to send the Moment without it. The server holds back the encrypted answers until the reveal and can see who takes part and when.
How to handle confidential things
Ask members to update their app, and only add people you trust. Discuss truly confidential matters in a private one-to-one chat, where the text is encrypted as soon as both have a key. There has been no independent audit of the encryption so far, and Friendstime does not promise absolute security.
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Frequently asked questions
Are group chats on Friendstime encrypted?
The text of chat groups in the messenger is end-to-end encrypted once all members use a current app or the web messenger. The chat of a community group is not.
Are old group messages encrypted later?
No. Messages from before the condition was met remain readable on the server.
Are images and voice messages encrypted in groups?
We do not promise that. The text of chat groups is end-to-end encrypted under the condition above; for pictures, voice messages, videos and files in groups we do not promise it. They are protected in transit at the least. The same applies to group calls.
How many people fit into a chat group?
You create chat groups with up to 50 other people.