Confer: A Secure Chatbot for Privacy Lovers
In an age where personal privacy is becoming increasingly vulnerable, Moxie Marlinspike, the founder of Signal, has unveiled Confer, a privacy-focused AI chatbot aimed at users concerned about their digital conversations. Unlike popular chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini, Confer prioritizes user confidentiality, ensuring that chats remain secure through end-to-end encryption.
Marlinspike emphasizes that with Confer, “conversations are encrypted so that nobody else can see them.” This means users can communicate without the fear of their messages being read or leaked. The AI cannot access, train on, or share conversations with anyone, including third parties or law enforcement. This feature sets Confer apart in a market where data privacy is often overlooked.
The motivation behind developing Confer stems from a desire for genuine privacy in communication. Marlinspike argues that a chat interface should facilitate private discussions between individuals rather than resemble a “group chat” with unknown parties lurking in the background. This philosophy resonates well in the Indian context, where concerns about data breaches and privacy violations are growing.
While the specific language models powering Confer have not been disclosed, Marlinspike has indicated that various models are used for different tasks, with advanced models available for premium subscribers. This approach is designed to ease the user experience, similar to how Signal makes encryption seamless for its users.
Signing up for Confer is straightforward, as it does not require a password but instead sets up a passkey automatically. This is complemented by server encryption and advanced security measures, ensuring that users’ data remains protected at all times. The interface resembles that of ChatGPT, making it user-friendly and accessible.
Currently, Confer offers a free tier limited to 20 messages per day, while unlimited access is priced at $35 per month. Although this is significantly higher than competitors like ChatGPT, for privacy-conscious individuals, Confer presents a valuable option.
The launch of Confer is timely, especially as discussions around AI agents and their potential risks to encrypted messaging are becoming more prominent. As highlighted by Meredith Whittaker at the World Economic Forum, the need for secure communication channels is more critical than ever, and Confer aims to fill this gap.
