WikiProject remote event participation/Privacy, security and accessibility

Jitsi Meet - Privacy, Security, and Accessibility Review

Introduction

Jitsi Meet is a Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) video conferencing tool that allows users to host secure online meetings without needing to create accounts. It is widely recognized for its commitment to privacy, security, and accessibility. This report reviews its features in these areas to help users understand its strengths and potential concerns.

Privacy Features

No User Account Requirement: Jitsi Meet does not require users to sign up for an account to start or join a meeting, ensuring greater anonymity and reducing the amount of personal data shared.

Data Encryption:

 - End-to-end encryption (E2EE): Jitsi supports end-to-end encryption for 1:1 meetings, ensuring that only the participants can access the video and audio content.

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 - Encryption in transit: All communications between the client and server are encrypted using TLS (Transport Layer Security), securing the data from third-party interception during transmission.

GDPR Compliance: Jitsi Meet, when self-hosted, allows users full control over their data. This is critical for compliance with regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It offers transparency in how data is processed and stored, especially when hosted by third-party servers (e.g., Jitsi's meet.jit.si service).
User Data Control: Since Jitsi Meet can be self-hosted, organizations or users have complete control over their servers, user data, and meeting content. This ensures greater privacy as they are not relying on external providers to handle sensitive data.

Security Features

Secure Communication Channels: All communications between clients and servers are encrypted using DTLS-SRTP (Datagram Transport Layer Security - Secure Real-time Transport Protocol) for the media streams.
Password Protection: Users can add passwords to meetings, providing an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access to meetings.

Authentication for Participants: The platform supports OAuth2, JWT tokens, and LDAP for user authentication, adding a flexible approach to managing secure access to meetings.

End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): In addition to TLS for media encryption, Jitsi Meet has optional end-to-end encryption that can be enabled for peer-to-peer sessions. This ensures that no one but the participants can decrypt the communication.
Self-Hosting for Complete Control: One of Jitsi’s main security strengths is its ability to be self-hosted. Organizations and individuals can manage their own servers, giving them full control over data security, server configuration, and updates.

Recording and Streaming Security: Meeting recordings and live streams can be configured securely. Recording is optional, and users have full control over where their recorded data is stored.

Accessibility Features

Jitsi Live Caption Using Jigasi: We can integrate third party tools like Jigasi to add the Captions feature.

Text chat: You can use the text chat feature to communicate with other participants if you have difficulty speaking or hearing.
Keyboard Navigation: Jitsi Meet offers full support for keyboard shortcuts, enabling users with motor disabilities to navigate through the interface more efficiently.

Screen reader compatibility: Jitsi is compatible with screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver, allowing users with visual impairments to access and interact with the application.
Mobile Compatibility: The tool is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing access to meetings from a wide range of mobile platforms.
Participant list: You can see a list of all participants in the conference, including their names and avatar images.

There are many features like Raise hand feature, Shared screen feature, Recording feature

Note: While Jitsi offers a variety of accessibility features, it's important to note that some of these features may not be fully accessible or may require additional configuration.

Conclusion

Jitsi Meet offers a robust set of privacy, security, and accessibility features. Its focus on encryption, GDPR compliance, and user-controlled data makes it a strong choice for secure video conferencing. Additionally, its accessibility options, like screen reader support and multilingual capabilities, ensure a wide range of users can benefit from the platform.

References

[Jitsi Meet Official Website](https://jitsi.org/)
[Jitsi Meet Privacy and Security Documentation](https://jitsi.org/security)

Privacy and Security and Accessibility features of BigBlueButton

Introduction

BigBlueButton(BBB) is empowering the world's educator to teach online which is designed by educators, for educators. It is an open source web conferencing system for online learning, a commercial virtual classroom system. It helps to create an active ecosystem of teachers, developers, administrators and commercial companies. BBB is deeply imbedded into Moodle, Canvas, Schoology, and many other LMS systems.

Privacy

End-to-end Encryption There's no direct client-to-client communication or encryption in BBB. Everything runs through the server. The server-to-client channels are all pretty well encrypted, but everything is processed unencrypted on the server. Transport encryption (you can call it "end-to-end encryption between server and clients") is used everywhere by default in BBB. TLS is used for any TCP HTTP traffic, and dTLS is used for the UDP RTP traffic. The WebRTC connections are thus secured using DTLS-SRTP, and fingerprint checking is implemented - the fingerprint for the dTLS certificate is transferred over the TLS secured websocket connection (DTLS-SRTP) to the client. The defaults configuration of nginx HTTPS webserver site (part of the BigBlueButton server) contains a pretty good and tight configuration and is very easy to adjust / tighten further if needed. TLS client authentication can optionally be configured/enabled there, if needed.

Security of Personal Information

In an effort to prevent unauthorized access, use, or disclosure, BigBlueButton takes reasonable administrative, technical and physical measures to protect your personal information stored on our servers. Despite these measures, one should know that BigBlueButton cannot fully eliminate security risks associated with personal information. No method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure and for this reason, BBB cannot guarantee the absolute security of one's personal information. Any content one posts while using the Services is at one's own risk. More Info.

Accessibility

BigBlueButton is designed to be accessible to users with visual and/or audible disabilities.

BigBlueButton supports both JAWS and NVDA screen readers. When using a screen reader, recommended browsers are Internet Explorer or the 32-bit version of FireFox. The 64-bit versions of FireFox and Chrome make it harder for screen readers to interact with the BigBlueButton client.

BigBlueButton supports live closed captioning. A stenographer can join the session and provide a live caption stream to all users (you can have multiple stenographers simultaneously providing captioning in multiple languages). Later on, when BigBlueButton processes the recording, it will convert the closed captions to subtitles in the playback. More Info

Security

Checksum Validation One of the primary BigBlueButton security features is the use of a checksum to validate incoming API calls. This checksum is computed from a shared secret, often referred to as the “Salt”, along with the full query string of the incoming API call. This feature ensures that any request received by the server is verified and authentic, protecting the system from potential threats or malicious attacks.

Encrypted WebSocket Connection In addition to checksum validation, the BigBlueButton client establishes a WebSocket connection back to the server. This connection is secured using HTTPS (WSS), guaranteeing that all data sent between the client and server is encrypted. This is a crucial security feature, as it prevents any third parties from intercepting or tampering with the data being transmitted.

Log Monitoring Monitoring and debugging is made easier with the HTML5 client’s ability to send its logs to the BigBlueButton server using the logger function. This function accepts three targets for the logs: console, server, and external1. The external option, while disabled by default, can be enabled by the administrator. This feature allows the client to POST log events to a specific URL endpoint, providing another layer of monitoring and control for the system1. More info

Overview BigBlueButton employs several security mechanisms. When secured with a TLS certificate, all content is transferred via HTTPS. API requests are validated through a checksum computed with a shared secret, and any mismatch leads to rejection. WebSocket connections for data are encrypted via HTTPS, and media (audio, video, screen sharing) is transmitted using WebRTC with RTP over UDP, encrypted with DTLS and SRTP. Despite these measures, no system is entirely secure. If you find any vulnerabilities, report them responsibly. More Info

Areas of Concern

Although BBB provides various accessibility features and is continuously paving ways to provide advanced setting for video conferencing. It doesn't make it any less vulnerable to potential risks. Here's how:

Arbitrary File Disclosure and Server-Side Request Forgery

RedTeam Pentesting discovered a vulnerability in the BigBlueButton web conferencing system which allows participants of a conference with permissions to upload presentations to read arbitrary files from the file system and perform server-side requests. This leads to administrative access to the BigBlueButton instance. More info

Improper Previledge Management

An attacker may be able to exploit the overly elevated file permissions in the `/usr/local/bigbluebutton/core/vendor/bundle/ruby/2.7.0/gems/resque-2.6.0` directory with the goal of privilege escalation, potentially exposing sensitive information on the server. See Patch. You can change the file permissions yourself (mimicking the commits linked as "patch") More Info

Exploit details and strategies

BigBlueButton before version 2.3 lacks LibreOffice sandboxing, potentially exposing the API shared secret. This could allow authenticated remote users to access sensitive information and join meetings without proper authorization. BigBlueButton before version 2.3 lacks LibreOffice sandboxing, potentially exposing the API shared secret. This could allow authenticated remote users to access sensitive information and join meetings without proper authorization. More Info

Overall, BigBlueButton is a solid solution for educational institutions but may require technical expertise to manage and optimize for larger deployments.

Privacy, Security, and Accessibility Features of Nextcloud Talk

Introduction

The Queering Wikipedia 2025 conference anticipates to host a large number of participants from diverse backgrounds and accessing it in different contexts. Thus the organizers need to ensure that the platform hosting the conference is user friendly and protects the participants’ data. NextCloud talk, an open source video conferencing tool could be the excellent choice because of its privacy, security and accessibility features

Privacy and Security Features

1. Data Encryption

NextCloud talk uses end-to-end encryption, meaning that conference conversations- whether audio, video or chats- are securely encrypted. Only conversation participants access this data so unauthorized parties cannot listen in or see what you share. Furthermore, sessions can be protected with a password so only authorized participants can enter a session.

Nextcloud Talk also employs these robust encryption methods to secure communications:

Server-Side Encryption: Protects stored data on the server, even in case of breaches.
Transport Layer Security (TLS): Secures data in transit using TLS, preventing interception.

2. Self-Hosting and Data Sovereignty

Nextcloud’s support for self-hosting is one of its most powerful privacy features. By allowing organisations and individuals to host the platform on their own infrastructure, Nextcloud eliminates reliance on third-party cloud providers such as Google Drive or Dropbox. This autonomy is particularly advantageous for users concerned with data sovereignty—the ability to control where data is stored and processed

3. User Data Protection and Anonymity

Nextcloud Talk ensures that your personal information is kept safe. It doesn’t store or share your personal data with third parties unless you give permission. You can also ask Nextcloud to show you what information they have about you, and you have the right to ask them to delete it if you no longer want them to keep it. Those anxious about sharing their data can join meetings anonymously without creating a user account. You can enter the conference as a guest using only a link provided. You can also control what information is visible to others under profile visibility.

Nextcloud Talk offers these user protection mechanisms to ensure the privacy of participants:

Zero Knowledge Architecture: Nextcloud talk itself and server administrators cannot access or view the content of video calls or chats, ensuring user privacy.
No Third-Party Dependencies: Calls are not routed through external providers, reducing exposure to privacy breaches.
Secure Access Controls: Administrators and users have full control over who can participate in calls. The ability to set permissions and invite participants ensures that unauthorized individuals cannot access private communications.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Participants are encouraged to use two-factor-authentication, provided by NextCloud talk, so that unauthorized users cannot gain access to their account
File Access Control: A feature that allows administrators to set specific rules on who can access certain files. This is especially useful for organizations that need to protect sensitive data or ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR.
Ransomware Protection: Nextcloud has built-in **ransomware protection**. It uses monitoring systems that detect unusual file behavior patterns, such as mass encryption of files, which is common in ransomware attacks. The platform then alerts the user or administrator, allowing them to take action before significant damage occurs.
Brute Force Protection: Nextcloud talk includes protection against **brute force attacks**, where attackers try to gain access by repeatedly guessing passwords. The platform monitors login attempts and automatically blocks repeated failed attempts from the same IP address.

4. Compliance with Privacy Regulations

Nextcloud complies with major data protection laws like GDPR, HIPAA and CCPA, providing users control over their data.

5. Potential Risks

Risks in Self-Hostingː While self-hosting offers significant advantages in terms of privacy and security, it also introduces a set of responsibilities for the user. Proper server configuration, regular software updates, and the implementation of strong passwords and firewalls are critical to maintaining a secure environment.
Third-Party App Integration: Care should be taken when connecting third-party apps, as they may not be as secure.

References: [1]

Accessibility Features

1. User Interface Simplicity and Ease of Navigation

NextCloud talk has a user friendly interface that is easy to navigate. Participants do not need to install the app to join a call. They can join directly via a web browser using the link provided for the call.

NextCloud talk interface with an account and app installed.

NextCloud talk interface with no account and no app installed.

2. Support for Users with Disabilities

Contrast settings: Participants with visual impairments can customize their interface by clicking on their profile and then appearance and accessibility. Those with dyslexia or those sensitive to light, for instance, can activate dark theme and dyslexia font to simplify their reading.

Screen Reader Compatibility: Nextcloud Talk is compatible with screen readers, allowing visually impaired users to navigate and interact with the platform effectively. Participants can use the screen reader provided by their operating system or browser.

Subtitles and Transcripts: While Nextcloud Talk lacks native live captioning, third-party tools can be integrated for live transcription. This is a critical accessibility feature for deaf or hard-of-hearing users.

Keyboard Navigation: The platform supports full keyboard navigation, benefiting users with mobility impairments who rely on keyboards for interaction. During a call, participants can mute their microphone by pressing the "M" key and disable their video by pressing the "V" key. These are just some of the available shortcuts. More shortcuts can be found in the Talk settings..

3. Mobile Device Compatibility

Nextcloud Talk is available on both Android and iOS platforms. This ensures accessibility across a wide range of devices.

4. Multilingual Support

Nextcloud Talk is available in multiple languages, making it accessible to users worldwide. Participants can also customize their experience by changing the interface language.

Although NextCloud talk allows a participant to join a call with no account, it’s recommended for one to have an account to access personalized settings such as the dyslexia font or other accessibility features. These settings are usually part of the user profile preferences, which require participants to be logged in.

References: [2]

Privacy & Security Features of Matrix/Riot (Element)

1. Data Encryption : Matrix/Riot prioritizes your privacy with end-to-end encryption. That means, if you send a message, the content is only readable by the peers in that conversation. Not even the servers that have to process the data are able to tell what is in the message. You are in possession of the keys that unlock the messages, hence it is extremely difficult for outsiders to access your chats.

2. Protection of User Data & Anonymity: Matrix/Riot lets users remain somewhat anonymous. You may use any username and don't need to provide information about yourself, such as real name, e-mail address, or even telephone number. It's designed to protect one's identity, something quite important in sensitive discussions and activist spaces.

3. Compliance with Privacy Regulations: Matrix/Riot complies with the existing privacy regulations in Europe, such as GDPR. This means that hosting and processing of data are done under strict legal protections. It also gives you control of your personal data, extending that to include the right to delete your account and request data stored about you.

Possible Weaknesses

There are areas for concern, like any application. Older versions of some software have bugs that leak metadata, or information about a message, like who sent it and when, just not the content of the message. The safest thing is to make sure your app is updated and use strong passwords to protect your account

Accessibility Features of Matrix/Riot (Element)

1. Matrix/Riot supports the use of disabled users. It means it supports screen readers that read out loud what is on the screen to visually impaired users. Although far from perfect, Element does the best it can and continues to develop more compatibility with these tools for better accessibility for all.

2. Compatibility with Mobile Devices: From your computer down to your mobile phone, be it Android or iOS, Matrix/Riot can be used nearly on any device. It is responsive to screen sizes, so pretty easy to switch between on-the-go and home use with it.

3. Simplicity & Navigation of the User Interface: The interface is simple, with tabs and clear buttons to enable you to find what you need quickly. Some users with cognitive disabilities might find the amount of options available overwhelming, but Element keeps updating to try to simplify the experience.

4. Multilingual Support: Matrix/Riot is available in multiple languages, which makes it easier for non-English speaking people to find their way around the app more easily. This is useful in global communities, and users can change the language to their preference.

References

https://matrix.org/category/security/

https://element.io/blog/element-is-accessible-by-design/

https://matrix.org/blog/2018/05/08/gdpr-compliance-in-matrix/

Privacy and Security and Accessibility features of Matrix/Riot (Element)

Introduction

Matrix, often accessed through clients like Element (formerly Riot), is an open-source, decentralized communication protocol designed to offer secure and scalable messaging. Developed as an alternative to centralized platforms, Matrix enables real-time communication, including text, voice, and video chat, across a decentralized network.

Privacy

End-to-End Encryption: Matrix offers strong end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and recipient can read the messages, and even the server hosting the conversation cannot access the contents. This encryption protocol, called Megolm, is continuously audited and strengthened by the Matrix community.Decentralization: Matrix allows users to run their own servers, giving them complete control over their data. This decentralization removes the need for a central authority,

minimizing the risk of data exploitation by corporations or breaches due to single points of failure. Data Sovereignty: Users and organizations can host their own Matrix servers, enabling complete control over where data is stored and how it’s handled. This approach contrasts with traditional platforms, where data is often stored on external servers and subject to third-party policies. Federated Network: Matrix operates as a federated network, so users on different servers can communicate freely while maintaining local control. This federated approach ensures that no single entity owns the data, allowing for a more resilient and autonomous communication model.Open-Source Transparency: Matrix and its clients, like Element, are open source, meaning anyone can inspect the code for potential vulnerabilities. This transparency builds trust, as users can verify that there are no hidden backdoors or data collection practices. No Centralized Metadata Collection: Many messaging apps track user activity, contact lists, and other metadata. In Matrix, however, such data collection is minimized, especially if users are on self-hosted servers, further enhancing privacy and reducing tracking.

Accessibility

Matrix and its clients, particularly Element, are built with accessibility in mind to ensure a wide range of users can use the platform comfortably, including those with disabilities. The Matrix team and the Element community have been continuously working to enhance accessibility across devices and platforms.

Accessibility Features

1. Screen Reader Compatibility: Element is designed to work with screen readers, helping visually impaired users navigate the app’s interface. Regular updates address compatibility to make sure that screen readers can accurately interpret content, including messages, notifications, and menu items.

2. Keyboard Navigation: The platform supports full keyboard navigation, allowing users to navigate and operate all major functions without needing a mouse. This is beneficial for users with limited mobility, as it enables them to manage their communication using keyboard shortcuts and commands.

3. Customizable Interface: Users can adjust text size, color themes, and contrast settings in the Element client to create a viewing experience suited to their visual needs. Dark mode and high-contrast themes are also available for better visibility.

4. Translations and Localization: Matrix and Element support multiple languages, and the community frequently adds more translations. This helps non-native English speakers and users worldwide access the platform in their preferred language.

5. Captioning and Transcription: For voice and video calls, Matrix aims to support captioning options, which can be helpful for users who are hard of hearing. While this feature is still evolving, Matrix’s open-source nature allows third-party integrations and enhancements to improve accessibility options.

6. Inclusive Community Feedback: The Matrix community values feedback from users about accessibility needs and regularly incorporates suggestions into updates. Open-source contributors work to address these needs, creating a continuous improvement cycle to make Matrix more accessible.

Matrix's commitment to accessibility aligns with its goals of inclusivity and openness, ensuring that everyone can participate in secure, decentralized communication regardless of physical abilities.

Security

Matrix is designed with a robust security architecture, emphasizing user privacy and data protection. Its decentralized structure, combined with advanced encryption techniques, makes it a compelling choice for secure communication. Here are some key aspects of Matrix's security features:

Key Security Features

1. End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): Matrix employs end-to-end encryption to ensure that only the sender and recipient can read the messages. The encryption protocol used, called Megolm, protects the content of messages and media shared within conversations, preventing unauthorized access even by the server hosting the chat.

2. Decentralization: Matrix’s decentralized nature means there is no single point of failure. Users can host their own servers, reducing reliance on third-party providers and mitigating risks associated with centralized data storage, such as data breaches or outages.

3. Data Sovereignty: Users have the ability to control their data by choosing where it is stored. With self-hosted servers, organizations and individuals can enforce their own security policies, ensuring sensitive information is handled according to their standards.

4. Security Audits: The Matrix protocol and its implementations undergo regular security audits by independent experts. This proactive approach helps identify vulnerabilities and reinforces trust in the platform’s security measures.

5. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Matrix supports two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of security to user accounts. This feature requires a second form of verification, such as a mobile authentication app, to access accounts, making unauthorized access significantly more difficult.

6. Token-Based Authentication: Matrix uses token-based authentication for secure sessions, allowing users to maintain their login status without compromising credentials. This method reduces the risk of session hijacking.

7. Bot and Third-Party Integration Security: When integrating with bots or third-party applications, Matrix provides a secure framework to manage permissions and data access, ensuring that external services cannot access more data than necessary.

8. Regular Updates and Community Support: The Matrix community actively develops and maintains the protocol, implementing security patches and updates as new vulnerabilities are discovered. Users benefit from continuous improvements and enhancements to the security framework.

Matrix’s comprehensive security features, combined with its commitment to decentralization and user control, make it a strong choice for anyone prioritizing secure and private communication. Whether for personal use or organizational communication, Matrix provides a resilient environment to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Areas of Concern

While Matrix offers many advantages in terms of privacy, accessibility, and security, there are also several areas of concern that users and administrators should be aware of. Understanding these challenges is essential for making informed decisions about using the platform.

1. Complexity of Setup and Management: For users and organizations choosing to self-host their Matrix servers, the setup process can be complex. Proper server configuration, maintenance, and management require technical knowledge, which may be a barrier for non-technical users.

2. Interoperability Challenges: Although Matrix is designed to facilitate communication across different platforms, interoperability can sometimes be inconsistent. Bridging with other messaging services might not support all features, leading to potential limitations in communication.

3. User Experience Variability: Different Matrix clients (like Element) can provide varying user experiences and features. Users may encounter inconsistencies in performance or accessibility, depending on the client they use. Some clients may not fully support all the features of the Matrix protocol, impacting overall usability.

4. Security Risks of Self-Hosting: While self-hosting provides control over data, it also introduces security risks. If a server is not properly secured, it may become vulnerable to attacks. Organizations must ensure they have robust security practices in place to protect their server and users.

5. Community-Driven Development: As an open-source project, development is often reliant on community contributions. While this encourages innovation, it can also lead to inconsistencies in quality and support. Users may encounter bugs or issues that depend on community response for resolution.

6. End-to-End Encryption Limitations: Although Matrix supports end-to-end encryption, the implementation can be complex, and there are instances where encryption may not be applied uniformly across all types of messages or media. Users need to be aware of how encryption works within their specific setup.

7. Performance and Scalability: Depending on the server setup and the number of active users, performance can vary. High traffic on a self-hosted server may lead to latency issues, impacting the user experience. Organizations need to ensure their infrastructure can scale as needed.

8. Compliance with Regulations: For organizations using Matrix, compliance with data protection regulations (such as GDPR or HIPAA) can be complex, especially when self-hosting. Proper policies and procedures must be established to manage user data and maintain compliance.

Overall Matrix provides a powerful platform for secure and decentralized communication, users should be aware of these areas of concern. By understanding the potential challenges, organizations and individuals can better prepare to mitigate risks and fully leverage the benefits of the Matrix ecosystem. References

https://matrix.org/category/security/

https://element.io/blog/element-is-accessible-by-design/

https://matrix.org/blog/2018/05/08/gdpr-compliance-in-matrix/