This might be a stupid question but given (my brief understanding of) how the fediverse works, would a fediverse version of a messaging app work? As a potential WhatsApp or Telegram replacement? Or is there one already?
I think Matrix would be the closest.
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Maybe https://element.io would fit the bill.
Yes, you’re looking for https://matrix.org/ it’s quite robust. Can use Element.io to interact with it.
Email?
Some mobile phones support group texting, which as far as I can tell is a preinvention of WhatsApp.
Matrix servers are good enough as a potential alternative to Signal, WhatsApp, Discord, etc.
The fediverse is not build for messaging. It is an inherently public model of everything. “Private” messaging is possible, but more often referred to as “direct” messaging, because every server admin can read your texts, as activity pub (the foundation the fediverse is based on) currently has no capability for end to end encryption.
Matrix is propably what you are searching for, as the other commenters pointed out. Alternatively may XMPP, but from what I’ve observed Matrix is a lot more active atm
That’s just email, and it’s existed for quite a while.
Emails work pretty well
Oh god, no please. The fediverse is not encrypted by nature…
Edit: nevermind, I was wrong about this, ignore me.
Was: I think you’re looking for Matrix. However, I’m not a Matrix user, `so I’m not totally sure.
Matrix runs on fediverse? That’s pretty cool, I had no idea. I’ve heard it’s an excellent Discord alternative.
No, I’m wrong. I thought Matrix had an ActivityPub integration, but I went and looked and I don’t think it does. I’ll edit my comment.