WeChats

WeChats is a fictional cross-platform messaging service designed as a conceptual alternative to centralized chat platforms. It is presented as an open, privacy-focused ecosystem where users retain greater control over data and interactions, and where interoperability is a core principle.

The project envisions an architecture that prioritizes user ownership of data, with optional self-hosted servers and a federated network model. The aim is to reduce dependence on a single provider and to enable cross-service communication while maintaining strong privacy protections. Messages are described as end-to-end encrypted, and multi-device synchronization is supported to ensure seamless access across devices.

Key features attributed to WeChats in design discussions include group chats and channels, ephemeral or time-limited messaging options, encrypted voice and video calls, and rich media sharing. An emphasis is placed on open standards and open-source client and server software to enable auditing, modification, and community contributions. Moderation is envisioned as transparent and community-governed rather than controlled by a single company.

Architecture and operation are described as federated or hybrid, with users able to run or join independent servers that interconnect with others. Accounts can migrate across servers, and cryptographic keys are managed by the user, ensuring control over identity and access. Gateways and bridges are proposed to allow controlled interoperability with other networks while preserving privacy guarantees.

History and influence: WeChats exists primarily as a speculative concept in design fiction and academic discussions about privacy, decentralization, and platform power. It is used to illustrate trade-offs in federated messaging and user autonomy rather than as an implemented product.

See also: WeChat, encrypted messaging, federated social networks.