dwtcourses / family

A messaging app for closed, trusted groups. Ad-free, secure and private with end-to-end encryption, open-source, multi-platform, and multi-device. Built with Flutter.

Family

Family members are not merely "contacts".

Messaging app for closed, trusted groups like families. NOT a social network. Open-source, ad-free, private and secure with end-to-end encryption, multi-platform and multi-device. Built with Flutter.

Design principles

• This app will be a private and intimate space. No casual friends or followers. No strangers or advertisers.
• Purpose-built for maintaining a tight-knit bond with your family.
• Not relying on centralized identifiers like phone numbers.
• Everything, including messages, audio and video calls, and media (such as photos and documents) will be encrypted end-to-end.

Feature Ideas

• Automatic sharing of home delivery/pickup alerts, and SMS which are sent to individuals but are actually relevant for the whole family (cab-booking OTPs, train/flight PNRs/schedule/tracking etc)
• Lightweight shared knowledge-base: Important places, contacts, events, reminders and critical documents for wealth or health
• Low-friction location-sharing
• Photos and Video repository
• Secure vault for important documents (such as life insurance policy)
• Scan QR codes to add members
• Use Signal or Whatsapp's Double Ratchet protocol for end-to-end encryption
• Choose your own storage option:
  • Cloud Firestore with encrypted data and ability to delete
  • Federated server like a Matrix.org instance
  • Completely peer-to-peer (distributed, serverless) protocol like secure ScuttleButt

How to Contribute

• Create a Firebase project and add your google-services.json file to android/app folder. Don't worry, this won't get committed as it is added in top-level .gitignore.

• Create a Cloud Firestore database with this structure:

• Replace the value of familyId in lib/family.dart and then launch the app.