Question 1

What makes White Noise unique?

Accepted Answer

White Noise stands out by merging Nostr's decentralized network with advanced encryption. Unlike traditional apps that rely on centralized servers, White Noise operates on Nostr, a system of independent relays anyone can run. This eliminates single points of failure, making the network resilient to censorship or shutdowns. Additionally, it uses the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol to ensure end-to-end encryption even in massive groups, scaling securely for thousands of users without compromising speed or privacy.

Question 2

How does encryption work?

Accepted Answer

White Noise encrypts every message using MLS, a protocol designed for dynamic security. If a private key is leaked, past messages remain private due to forward secrecy, and future messages automatically regain protection through rotating encryption keys. This process, called post-compromise security, ensures that even if a breach occurs, attackers can't access ongoing conversations. All messages are encrypted before reaching Nostr relays, meaning no third party—whether the relay operator or an eavesdropper—can read the content.

Question 3

Can governments or ISPs block White Noise?

Accepted Answer

Blocking White Noise is extremely difficult. Nostr's decentralized structure lets users switch relays instantly if one is censored or taken down. Relays can also be self-hosted, allowing communities to maintain their own servers beyond the reach of centralized control. Combined with MLS encryption, which scrambles messages into unreadable data, this makes surveillance or censorship nearly impossible. Even if an ISP intercepts traffic, they'll see only encrypted metadata, revealing nothing about the message content.

Question 4

How does White Noise handle large groups without lag?

Accepted Answer

MLS uses a tree-based key structure that scales logarithmically, reducing the computational load on devices as groups grow. Nostr relays handle message routing efficiently, so adding members does not linearly increase encryption cost. The result is responsive group conversations without the bottlenecks of pairwise encryption schemes.

Question 5

Where does my data live?

Accepted Answer

Messages in White Noise are encrypted end-to-end and temporarily relayed through several Nostr servers, which cannot read them and don't permanently store them. Relays act as transient delivery points, discarding data after transmission. Users can further prioritize privacy by selecting trusted relays or hosting their own, ensuring no single entity retains control over their communications.

Question 6

What happens if a relay goes offline?

Accepted Answer

White Noise connects to multiple relays simultaneously, so if one fails or is blocked, others take over automatically. This redundancy ensures messages are delivered reliably, and groups remain active as long as at least one relay is operational. Users experience minimal disruption, even during network outages or targeted censorship attempts.

Question 7

Can admins remove or censor users in a group?

Accepted Answer

Group admins can evict members using MLS's cryptographic tools. Once removed, a user loses access to future messages and cannot rejoin without a new invite. Crucially, future conversations remain secure because encryption keys are rotated, preventing expelled members from decrypting newer messages.

Question 8

Is White Noise open source?

Accepted Answer

Yes, White Noise is fully open source, allowing anyone to inspect its code and verify security claims. Transparency is core to its design, fostering trust in its encryption methods and ensuring accountability. Open-source development also encourages collaboration, enabling rapid improvements and community-driven audits.

Question 9

Can I use White Noise on multiple devices?

Accepted Answer

White Noise supports multi-device access through MLS's "leaf nodes," which treat each device—phone, laptop, tablet—as a separate participant in the encryption process. This lets users join the same groups across devices without sacrificing security. Keys are stored locally on each device, ensuring seamless synchronization while maintaining end-to-end encryption.

Question 10

How Does White Noise Stay Secure Long-Term?

Accepted Answer

MLS's protocol agility allows White Noise to adopt new cryptographic standards, such as quantum-resistant algorithms, without overhauling the app. This future-proofs the app against evolving threats. Additionally, Nostr's decentralized relay network can independently upgrade cryptographic tools, ensuring resilience against both technological advances and institutional interference.

Question 11

What if I don't trust public relays?

Accepted Answer

Users concerned about public relays can self-host their own servers or join private relays operated by trusted communities. This gives full control over where data travels, eliminating reliance on third-party infrastructure. Self-hosting also shields users from potential relay abuse or data retention policies.

Question 12

How Do I Know My Messages Are Private?

Accepted Answer

MLS encryption ensures that only group members can decrypt messages. Relays receive only scrambled data, making it unreadable to operators or hackers. Even if a relay is compromised, attackers gain nothing but ciphertext—a jumble of characters with no meaningful information.

Question 13

What Happens If My Device Gets Stolen?

Accepted Answer

Immediately remove the compromised device from your groups using another device. MLS's post-compromise security guarantees that future messages remain protected, as encryption keys are rotated. Stolen devices cannot access new messages without rejoining through an invite, which admins can block entirely.

Question 14

Is It Free to Use?

Accepted Answer

Yes, White Noise is free and open source. While running a private relay or using premium relays may incur minor costs, the core application and basic usage are entirely free. This ensures accessibility while empowering users to customize their experience.

White Noise

Supported By