Chatto: Open-Source Team Messenger with Privacy at Its Core

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Organizations seeking alternatives to commercial group communication platforms now have additional self-hosted options available.

Introduction

A new open-source project, Chatto, has entered the space by making its source code publicly accessible and providing executable files for deployment on personal infrastructure. The platform functions similarly to established team messaging services but ensures message data remains under the control of the operator.

Installation Requirements

Installation requires only a single executable file, which, when executed on a machine, initiates a functional chat server with an integrated web interface. Support spans multiple operating systems, including Linux (x86_64 and ARM64 architectures), macOS, and Windows.

Scalability Options

Basic configurations do not require a separate database, while larger implementations can utilize Docker Compose or Kubernetes for scalability.

Data Protection Mechanisms

Data protection mechanisms within Chatto focus on user-specific encryption. Message content and certain persistent account attributes are secured using individual keys tied to each user. This approach ensures that plaintext data is accessible only to those possessing the corresponding keys.

Account Deletion

Upon account deletion, the server employs cryptographic shredding to erase these keys, rendering associated data irrecoverable even from backups. This design ensures that removing an account permanently eliminates access to its contents.

Server Isolation

Each Chatto server operates as an isolated community, with no data sharing between instances. Messages and user data remain confined to the server managed by a single operator, limiting the spread of conversations.

Multi-Community Management

Users participating in multiple communities connect directly to each server via the client application. Operators managing multiple communities run separate server processes for each.

Privacy and Security Features

The platform does not incorporate third-party tracking or analytics. Built-in voice and video calling features support screen sharing, with end-to-end encryption ensuring that call media is accessible only to participants.

Hosted Service Option

A hosted service option is set to launch, offering managed infrastructure for organizations preferring not to handle server operations. Chatto Cloud, currently in public beta, will provide paid hosting for Chatto servers, initially utilizing European and European-owned infrastructure.

Future Expansion

This aligns with requirements for data residency in the region, with plans to expand to additional regions in early 2027. Servers hosted through Chatto Cloud will maintain compatibility with self-hosted deployments, allowing data migration between the two models at any time.