Hi folks
I into the linux world for a while (more of 6 months), and I had installed fedora last week. I was installing my essential apps( games, code IDE, some security tools, etc), everything was ok before the task to intalling discord appear, I used to use discord as web app of linux mint’s webapp manager, but because webapp manager does not exit for fedora I am considering other options.
- Use Goofcord: it’s a dicord client focused on privacy and customization;
- Use the Flatpak version of Discord: I’ve heard that flatpak is more secure because its in a conteiner;
I know about the bad privacy and security of discord(even facebook have more privacy), but without discord I could not make online calls with my friends for making university work and for gaming with them.
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First, the ToS situation is unclear. They claim that [From their README]:
While using GoofCord goes against Discord ToS, no one has ever been banned from using it or any client mods.
From what I remember (and I haven’t used Discord in 2 years, so this might be outdated), it’s only against the ToS if you use modified versions of the original client, which GoofCord is not.
This makes it more stable than, say, Vencord or BetterDiscord, because a Discord update can’t break it. (I remember that tragic moment when all BetterDiscord plugins died after a big update. It was a sad day, and I think BetterDiscord never recovered).
I personally don’t see the value of it. It removes trackers, yes, but the main concern with Discord is the fact that you are sending messages without E2EE. GoofCord can fix that by using some kind of “message encryption” (worryingly I don’t see libsignal in their package.json), but that would require the other side to install GoofCord too, so you might as well just tell them to use Signal instead.
I’d recommend you use either the official flatpack or Vesktop, a really popular (and, thus, well maintained) client mod that has cool features like 1080p streaming without Nitro (I did not check if GoofCord has this)
And that they do not delete your messages, except you delete everything one by one per hand (or script), which most people would never do. Oh and don’t forget the private send files that are fully published (you can open them via browser!). This is something many people do not know. The security was a tiny bit improved at some point, to make it harder to guess the file links, but they’re still published.
Signal is no good replacement for Discord. At least if you rely on features as screen sharing and multi-accounting (you need a new phone number for each account, as far as I am aware) and who knows what else. But Matrix is a good option, which is widely used in the FOSS world.
Anyway, the more important point is, that people don’t need to use Discord OR and alternative, they can use both until people joined the other platform, too.
Back to topic:
It really makes no difference if they collect some additional trackers-data, since all the important data can be read and analyzed even if you use another client (even Matrix-Discord-bridges). What you probably don’t want is a system access where Discord can read what games you start (and every other application). I don’t know if Flatpak has a strong enough sandbox to stop this, but that is something you can easily test by your own. If it still shows the games you’re playing (even if disabled in Discord, it should be visible in its settings), you may prefer a third party client. If it prevents Discord from doing so, I see not much reason to switch the client other than UI design etc.
Inside a Web-Browser is the best solution.
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If you installed Vencord, you can by installing the FakeNitro plugin. It’s not exclusive to Vesktop.
When I still had my discord, I would use the web app and not the native app.
However if you do want to benefit from E2EE Calls, you do need the native app unfortunately and in that case I would use vesktop.
Personally I would use the Flatpak version. It’s because if Discord would go after discord clients, your account could get deleted. That scares me personally, but alas, many are braver than me. Flatpaks are great, because they are containers. That means that you choose what access discord gets.
If you find the risk, how little it might be, worth it, you could try to use Goofcord. But I would strongly advice to not use any free nitro things that comes bundled with any discord client. Because that gives discord a stronger reason to ban you.
This is my personal opinion. I am afraid of using Goofcord, but that doesn’t mean that you should be. Many people have used these clients with no problem. I hope that I have made it clear enough, by putting an ever stronger emphasis on it.
This isnt as risky as you think it is.
As long as you dont make it way too obvious or dont get reported to discord for it, you will not get banned, as vencord and many said, there are no reported bans for people using modified client.
when I used vencord with fakenitro and other plugins, none cared and discord cant simply prove it by me sending emojis as photo links for example (which is what I primarily used FakeNitro for, they would need hard evidence to justify I modified the client with FakeNitro). I also avoided using extensions that make it too obvious and theming too so even in screenshots it wouldn’t be obvious.
I also had people who would share screenshots with their discord client themed in discord, still none cared. If in the event you need to go to settings and show a screenshot, sync them up and use another client that doesnt make it obvious you use vencord or similar (eg use PTB for that) or disable it in your browser until it is done. Same with if you need to show right clicking or some typing or some menu etc.
Please do not fearmonger people like this, it is true there is a risk but it is not as much as you make it out to be.
So it is safe to use plugins that improve your QoL but do not overdo it and avoid theming and plugins that add things not normally present in discord [basically without right clicking or typing or in other menus]) if you dont wanna make it too obvious
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