In the days of physical isolation, technology for remote communication has become crucial. More than ever, we need secure and ethical technologies to stay in touch.

Unfortunately, commonly used proprietary teleconferencing software such as Zoom and Skype are unethical and have serious issues.

The major problem with such programs is that proprietary software can not be trusted. Proprietary software is intrinsically insecure due to lack of transparency and possibility of independent audit. "Black box" approach is neither safe nor ethical.

We encourage the use of Free/Libre and Open Source communication software.

Alternatives

Jitsi -- a free and Open Source group teleconferencing software based on WebRTC technology.

https://jitsi.org/about/
https://meet.jit.si/

Jami -- a free and Open Source distributed messaging and voice communication software.

https://jami.net/

Philosophy of free software

https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html

More details why Zoom and Skype are neither safe nor ethical

Zoom

Zoom Meetings Aren’t End-to-End Encrypted, Despite Misleading Marketing
-- https://theintercept.com/2020/03/31/zoom-meeting-encryption/

Zoom’s Encryption Is “Not Suited for Secrets” and Has Surprising Links to China, Researchers Discover
-- https://theintercept.com/2020/04/03/zooms-encryption-is-not-suited-for-secrets-and-has-surprising-links-to-china-researchers-discover

Elon Musk's SpaceX bans Zoom over privacy concerns
-- https://www.businessinsider.com.au/elon-musk-bans-zoom-security-concerns-2020-4
-- https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/elon-musk-s-spacex-bans-zoom-over-privacy-concerns--memo-12600566
-- https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/elon-musk-s-spacex-bans-zoom-over-privacy-concerns-12602260

Zoom iOS App Sends Data to Facebook Even if You Don’t Have a Facebook Account
-- https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/k7e599/zoom-ios-app-sends-data-to-facebook-even-if-you-dont-have-a-facebook-account

Zoom banned from New York City schools due to privacy and security flaws
-- https://www.fastcompany.com/90486586/zoom-banned-from-new-york-city-schools-due-to-privacy-and-security-flaws

Zoom closed account of user who commemorated anniversary of Tiananmen Square massacre
-- https://reclaimthenet.org/zoom-closed-account-of-user-who-commemorated-anniversary-of-tiananmen-square-massacre/

Zoom Facing Questions From Lawmakers After China Makes Successful Censorship Request
-- https://www.dailywire.com/news/zoom-facing-questions-from-lawmakers-after-china-makes-successful-censorship-request

China: Police arrest Christians participating in Zoom Easter worship service
-- https://www.christianpost.com/news/china-police-arrest-christians-participating-in-zoom-easter-worship-service.html

"OK Zoomer, stop": https://www.bitchute.com/video/3qgoto6kAgg/

Skype

Skype audio graded by workers in China with 'no security measures'
-- https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jan/10/skype-audio-graded-by-workers-in-china-with-no-security-measures

Microsoft handed the NSA access to encrypted messages
-- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/11/microsoft-nsa-collaboration-user-data

Project Chess: How U.S. Snoops On Your Skype
-- https://www.forbes.com/sites/petercohan/2013/06/20/project-chess-how-u-s-snoops-on-your-skype/

Skype refuses to say whether it can eavesdrop on calls.
That almost certainly means it can do so.
-- https://stallman.org/skype.html