Jitsi

An open-source video conferencing platform with end-to-end encryption, widely used for secure meetings.

Ad-Free Self-Hostable Privacy Friendly Open Source Free of Charge No Registration
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Description

Jitsi is a fully open-source video conferencing solution, offering a privacy-respecting alternative to mainstream platforms. Its core strengths include end-to-end encryption (only) for 1:1 calls, the ability to self-host, and a commitment to transparency and user control. Jitsi is free to use, with no participant limits.

The platform has faced criticism for requiring third-party accounts (Google, GitHub, or Facebook) to create meetings on its public instance, which may compromise user anonymity and privacy. Additionally, a reported privacy flaw allows stealth audio/video capture without user consent, which Jitsi has not addressed, citing it as a feature rather than a vulnerability. These issues highlight the importance of self-hosting for maximum privacy and security.

Despite these concerns, Jitsi remains a leading choice for those seeking a sustainable, privacy-focused alternative to Big Tech video conferencing tools, especially when self-hosted.

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Sustainability Features of Jitsi

Ad-Free - Services that do not display advertisements to users, ensuring a cleaner and more private experience.

Jitsi is ad-free, providing a clean and distraction-free experience.

Self-Hostable - Services that can be hosted by users, giving full control over data and enhancing privacy.

Jitsi can be fully hosted on your own servers, giving complete control over data and privacy.

Privacy Friendly - It does not track users unnecessarily.

Jitsi does not engage in data mining for ads and comes with end-to-end encryption for calls with two participants.

Open Source - Free and Open-Source Software

Jitsi is free and open-source software, allowing anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance the code.

Free of Charge - The services provided can be used for free.

Jitsi is free to use for everyone, with no participant limits or mandatory fees for basic features.

No Registration - No registration required

Jitsi allows anyone to join meetings without registration. Unfortunately, creating a meeting on the public instance (meet.jit.si) now requires a Google, GitHub, or Facebook account. Self-hosted instances can be configured to allow anonymous meeting creation.

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Summary

Jitsi is widely used as a sustainable alternative to proprietary tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, especially for those concerned about data privacy and ethical tech use. Jitsi’s commitment to open-source development, end-to-end encryption (for 1:1 calls), and self-hosting options make it a strong candidate for sustainable communication. However, recent changes have raised privacy concerns. These issues should be weighed against its benefits.

Sustainability Score
83

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OpenTalk

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Wire is free and open-source software, allowing anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance the code.
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Whereby allows users to join meetings without registration.
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