Keybase
Summary
Keybase is a messaging platform that allows you to send end-to-end encrypted messages to your friends, share files, and connect all of your social media platforms. The app can be downloaded for free from the App Store.
Breach History
Has there ever been a breach or data leak?
No known hacks or data breaches!
🎉
Privacy Checklist
Is any kind of biometric data collected (health, heart, voice, etc.)?
Are you able to delete your data / the data collected about you?
Does it use cookies, telemetry, or third-party tracking scripts?
Is the privacy policy user-friendly (easy to understand)?
Does it have parental controls?
Does it use encryption to protect your data both in-transit and at-rest?
Does it get regular software and / or firmware updates?
Does it require you to create a strong password?
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Does it have a privacy policy?
How Can It Snoop?
Does it have a camera or request / require access to a camera?
Does it have a microphone or request / require access to a microphone?
Does it track your location or request / require access to location data?
Account Requirements
Does it require an email address to use?
Does it require a phone number to use?
Does it require an address (home or office) to use?
Payment Options
Are you able to use a credit card as a payment option?
Are you able to use a cryptocurrency as a payment option?
Are you able to use PayPal as a payment option?
Are you able to use cash or gift cards as a payment option?
What Could Go Wrong?
Keybase collects data from its users including name, email, social media handles, hashed password, and IP address. Although your messaging and file data is encrypted and cannot be accessed by the company, your personal information may be sent to Amazon as a service provider, which is concerning. Be aware of these risks before using this service.
How Does It Share Your Data?
Keybase may share personal data with service providers such as Amazon Web Services and Kraken.io.
Good Things
- End-to-end-encrypted messages.
- Open source apps.
- 250GB of encrypted cloud storage for free.
Bad Things
- Now owned by Zoom, which has deep ties with China.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Keybase seems to do a decent job protecting its users' data. It is possible that some data may be sent to Amazon, but the majority of the data is encrypted and could not be accessed even by the company. However, Keybase was recently acquired by Zoom, which has ties to China, and this raises some privacy concerns. For now, this app seems to be acceptable, but keep an eye out for anything that changes.