RUNIC CIPHER'S PROFILE

author=LockeZ
I find it ironic that you would be perfectly fine using IRC, a program that broadcasts your IP address to every single user instead of just to the people in charge of the company.

IRC is just a protocol, much like HTTPS or FTP. Much of the security side depends on the server configuration and which client you're using. Depending on the server, your IP address can be disguised (e.g. Rizon) without having to use a bouncer or hostmask. Even then, it's not hard to change your IP address through the use of a VPN, proxy, or Tor exit node. On servers that ban such things, well, you're taking that risk yourself. Because IRC itself can be decentralized, one can have more freedom by not being at the mercy of a corporation such as Facebook, Twitter, Discord, or Reddit (even if their forum software itself is open-source software).

Also, an IP address doesn't tell you as much about a user as their phone number does. That's where the privacy problem lies for me. Discord tracks more than just your user agent and IP address, whereas an IRC server usually requests the bare minimum. As well, if you have a private conversation with someone via IRC, there are ways to encrypt your messages (e.g. OTR, which is supported by Pidgin, HexChat, Weechat, and a few other IRC clients by means of the plugins).

author=unity
What's wrong with Discord? Been using it for years and it seems fine.

Many things. It's a primary source of data mining. The lack of transparency in their operations makes them every bit as bad as Facebook, if not worse than. This article goes into details why Discord itself is spyware and you shouldn't trust it.

author=Irog
Like you, I'll never make a Discord account because Discord is a closed-source software: you never know what they do with your data and your conversations. I much prefer Mumble.

Agreed. Ever since I made the full switch to GNU/Linux, I've been on a mission to embrace the promotion of FLOSS as much as possible. Yes, I know that the program I use to make my game is proprietary and its source code is unavailable, but it's an old program and it's as good as it gets in order to make my dream come true. I do play and test it with EasyRPG Player instead of the default RPG_RT file.