This version keeps the concept exactly the same, just a bit better. The next versions should be focused on implementing the Private Chat Protocol using E2E encryption and more advanced messaging.

🚀 New Features

GitHub-like avatars

We were previously using Vercel avatars, which meant we were unnecessarily depending on that service. It was a good first step for rendering user profile pictures, but it was not good enough.

Now, a new algorithm has been introduced to generate a unique avatar for every username. These avatars are generated client-side as SVGs.

Toast notifications

Native browser alerts are now replaced with beautiful toast notifications.

Fixes and improvements

We also have bug fixes, security fixes and general improvements. You can read more about them on the GitHub releases:

• Client: View on GitHub
• Server: View on GitHub

The new Docker image for the server is available on Docker Hub.

Where to test

Since Diamonds VPN has been sunset, I have deployed the server on my personal infrastructure. You can test the client app on this instance: https://privatechat.network

If you have any questions or would like to contribute, feel free to reach out or visit our repositories! 🚀

This is mass surveillance. It breaks end-to-end encryption, it puts everyone under suspicion, and it sets a dangerous precedent. Once you normalize scanning, it won't stop at child protection, it can and will expand to other areas.

Why This Is Dangerous

Privacy is a right, not a privilege. Nobody should have their private conversations read by machines or governments.

Encryption keeps us safe. Backdoors and client-side scanning weaken security for everyone, and criminals will exploit those weaknesses too.

False positives ruin lives. Automated detection isn't perfect. Innocent people will be flagged, investigated, and harmed.

Free speech at risk. Without anonymity, journalists, activists, and everyday citizens lose the ability to speak safely.

What We Can Do

Spread the word. Share resources like fightchatcontrol.eu.

Contact your representatives and tell them to vote NO.

Support tools and services that keep encryption intact.

Educate friends and family: privacy matters to everyone, not just "tech people".

How I'm Contributing

With my project Private Chat, I'll keep building and promoting tools that protect communication, not weaken it. I'll also keep publishing content -blogs, tutorials, and videos- to make sure more people understand what's at stake.

I've also uploaded a short video on YouTube where I explain Chat Control in plain language. Please watch and share it, awareness is our strongest defense. For now, in Spanish language.

Final Word

This is not just about Europe. If Chat Control passes, it will inspire copycats around the world. We can't let mass surveillance become the norm.

Privacy is freedom. And freedom is worth fighting for.

Part of that silence wasn't just strategy. It was fear. Burnout. Confusion. And, to be honest, the influence of people around me who insisted that "real founders don’t talk", or that "true OGs stay in the shadows".

And while that may work for some, I've realized something important:

Silence is not my nature.

I've always built in public. I've always been someone who shares what I'm working on, how I'm thinking, what I'm learning, and that’s what allowed people to connect with my journey, to learn from it, and to grow with me.

That voice, that energy, that presence… it's mine. And I'm reclaiming it.

🎥 Launching my Twitch channel

I'm now starting to stream on Twitch, where I'll be sharing what I do and love: tech, entrepreneurship, privacy, decentralization, and yes, some gaming too.

I'm not aiming to be just another "content creator". I want to open a space where we can talk live, build real things, explore ideas, and have fun doing it.

I don't yet know the format. I don't even know if I'll be streaming in Spanish or English. But I'll figure it out live, and that's part of the charm. You'll see the journey, not just the polished results.

What to Expect

💻 Building live, coding, debugging, designing

🛡️ Talking about privacy, censorship, decentralization, tech news

🧠 Ideas on mindset, entrepreneurship, and navigating this world

🎮 Games and chill time, because we all need it

🌍 Spontaneous thoughts, small rants, deep reflections, the real me

This Is Just the Start

I don't know exactly where this will lead, but I know I've wasted too much time hiding my voice. And I don't want to look back again and regret staying quiet.

Let's build, speak, and grow in public. Together.

twitch.tv/carloslugones

🚀 New Features

Link Previews

Now, the first link in a message will appear as a rich preview, including the destination page's name, description, and cover image. This greatly enhances the chat experience and makes shared content easier to identify.

YouTube Video Embeds

When you send a YouTube video link in the chat, a video player will now appear directly in the conversation. This makes watching videos more convenient without leaving the chat.

Improved Image Display

Try sending a link to an image. Instead of just showing the link, the image itself will now appear directly in the chat. This also works for GIFs, making conversations more visual and engaging.

Server Changes

We've made some minor improvements to the Private Chat server without affecting compatibility with previous versions. Version v1.2.0 is now live on the server.

Additionally, Docker images for this and previous server versions are now available on Docker Hub:

• v1.2.0
• v1.1.0
• v1.0.0

Official GitHub Organization

To make the project feel more "official", I've created a new GitHub organization where the project repositories are now hosted. This change will help foster collaboration and community growth around Private Chat.

💻 Open Source Code

• Client: View on GitHub
• Server: View on GitHub
• Umbrel App: View on GitHub

You can test the client app on these instances:

https://privatechat.network

https://chat.vpn.diamonds

If you have any questions or would like to contribute, feel free to reach out or visit our repositories! 🚀

Here's everything you need to know about this update:

🚀 New Features

Emojis

Express yourself better with a wide variety of emojis to brighten up your conversations.

See chat members

It was awkward to be on a room without knowing who was there. Now we have a button on top right to display the chat members. It updates in real time as more people join or leaves the chat.

Image Sharing

Images are crucial part of our communication, and here we have the initial features for sharing them in the chat.

Multiple ways to share images:

• Drag & Drop images directly into the chat.
• Paste Images using Ctrl + V or Cmd + V.
• Attach from Files for effortless uploading.

Add an optional caption to provide context or personalize your image shares.

Highlight key elements in chat for better visibility:

• @Usernames are now highlighted.
• #Room Names stand out in your conversation.
• Links are automatically recognized and emphasized.

Code Formatting

Share code snippets easily with improved syntax formatting for clear presentation.

🔧 Other Improvements

• Refined Design: Enjoy a cleaner and more intuitive chat interface for seamless interaction.
• Connection Indicator: Stay informed about your connection status with a clearer and improved indicator.
• General Improvements: I've made various behind-the-scenes updates to enhance stability and performance.
• Copy Room Name with a single click for easy sharing.
• Username validation.
• And other changes I don't remember now :)

🌐 Official Domain

The official website for Private Chat is now live at privatechat.network.

💻 Open Source Code

• Frontend Code: GitHub - Private Chat Frontend v1.1.0
• Backend Code: GitHub - Private Chat Backend v1.1.0
• Umbrel Community App: GitHub - Private Chat Umbrel App

🎯 Ready to Try It?

If you are hosting your own instance, make sure to update Private Chat to v1.1.0 today and experience a smoother, more engaging way to connect with your friends in absolute privacy. I'm committed to improving your chat experience, and I can't wait for you to try out these new features.

If you have feedback or suggestions, I'd love to hear from you!

Decentralization is evolving, and it's time to rethink how we communicate securely.

What if Private Chat could be relayed across multiple servers, ensuring true resilience and censorship resistance?

For the first version, I wanted to have my own private chat, which I can host and invite my friends to have conversations. Discovering Nostr opens new ideas and possibilities to explore.

Discovering Nostr: A Game-Changer for Decentralization

I've been exploring Nostr, thanks to @DanishCryptoDK for the introduction. Unlike blockchain-based solutions, which can be costly and resource-intensive, Nostr provides a lightweight yet powerful way to build decentralized systems. Peer-to-peer (P2P) is an excellent paradigm, and Nostr leverages this to create a censorship-resistant, trust-minimized network.

Centralized vs. Decentralized Chat

Traditional platforms like Telegram offer convenience but come with risks: accounts can be banned at any time, and data can be controlled by a single entity. Alternatives have emerged:

• Session (blockchain-powered)
• SimpleX (P2P servers)
• Nostr (a social media protocol, including chat, powered by relays)

Each offers unique benefits, but Nostr stands out for its simplicity and flexibility.

The Future of Private Chat

I made the first version of Private Chat as a way to explore my ideas about real-time, ephemeral, private and secure communication leaving no logs, no tracking, and requiring no authentication. Nostr showed me that more could be done and I'm thinking about it.

Private Chat is joining Nostr to post notes and engage with the decentralized ecosystem. However, my long-term vision involves building my own protocol tailored to secure and private communication. While adding relay support between servers is part of this roadmap, it will come in future versions, not the next one.

The next version brings big improvements and new features. I will announce it here. Hopefully, you will like it.

Diamonds VPN Joins Nostr

In alignment with this vision, Diamonds VPN is also integrating with Nostr, reinforcing our commitment to decentralized infrastructure. Privacy isn’t just about encryption: it’s about ensuring users have control over their communication and access to information without gatekeepers.

Stay Connected

If you’re interested in these developments, follow my updates on Nostr.

Here’s my public key:

npub159kvnu0z3lpuskleczkrvr2s6jp7urfy0y37r97k0m0j6r7dp3xsvnm459

Diamonds VPN public key on Nostr:

npub1e0dcacrqg9d5gfamyr3gageygfsgjvt9cuuzcta6kxnxvylwf4qss7xgv8

Private Chat public key on Nostr:

npub1usagn42a2zf9nqfz2xp5t84x0jg5269w28wzxd7zunrme0pe5pksd9t2vr

Exciting things are coming. 🔥

Related:

• Diamonds VPN is now on Nostr

Bitcoin has always fascinated me - not just as an asset, but as a tool for financial sovereignty and privacy. Over the years, I’ve experimented with running my own Bitcoin full node multiple times, but for a long time, I didn’t fully understand its utility beyond just altruistically supporting the network.

At one point, I even installed Lightning Network (BTC LN) on top of a full node, but without a clear use case, it felt more like an experiment than something I could actively benefit from. That changed when I dug deeper into the technical aspects of BTC LN, and I realized that running my own infrastructure wasn’t just about contributing to the network — it was about owning my Bitcoin, processing my own transactions, and extending that trust to others.

Why a Full Bitcoin & Lightning Node?

A Bitcoin full node allows me to verify transactions without relying on third parties. Instead of trusting centralized services to validate transactions, I now have full control over my BTC funds and privacy. But Bitcoin alone wasn’t enough — I wanted fast, low-cost payments without relying on exchanges or custodial wallets. That’s where Lightning Network came in.

By setting up my own BTC LN node, I can now:

✅ Process Bitcoin transactions instantly – No waiting for confirmations.

✅ Avoid high on-chain fees – Lightning allows for near-zero transaction costs.

✅ Route payments privately – Transactions can be relayed through TOR.

✅ Avoid centralized custodians – I hold my own keys, no intermediaries.

Building a Self-Sovereign Payment Infrastructure

This time, I didn’t just install a node — I built a usable and self-sufficient Lightning setup:

⚡ Full BTC node + Lightning Network – No need to trust third parties.

⚡ Initial liquidity + open payment channels – My node is ready to send & receive payments.

⚡ Connectivity via TOR & clearnet – Ensuring both privacy and accessibility.

⚡ BTCPay Server integration – Allowing private Bitcoin payments without intermediaries.

⚡ Integrated into Diamonds VPN – Offering my VPN users a private and trustless payment option.

This setup means I don’t just use Bitcoin — I actually own my Bitcoin and the infrastructure to transact with it. I’m not dependent on exchanges, custodial wallets, or centralized payment providers.

Offering Trust to My Community

Most Bitcoin users still rely on centralized platforms to store and send BTC. Exchanges and payment processors track transactions, require KYC, and control access. I don’t want to be part of that system.

That’s why I’m not just running a node for myself, I’m opening it up for others:

💎 Diamonds VPN users can pay directly through my BTC LN node.

🔗 Anyone can connect to my node and route payments through it.

🛠️ If you want to run your own node, I’m happy to help.

Bitcoin isn’t just about buying and holding, it’s about taking control of your financial future. Running my own node has been a long road, but now, I fully understand its value: owning your keys, verifying your own transactions, and offering trust to others who want to do the same.

If you want to connect to my Lightning node, try out private BTC payments, or just discuss running your own node, feel free to reach out. Let’s build a more private, self-sovereign Bitcoin network together.

🚀 Take control. Own your Bitcoin.

Related:

• Introducing BTC LN on Diamonds VPN
• Unboxing Umbrel Home server
• Showing the Umbrel Home server on a meetup

Privacy-First Communication, Built for You

In an era where online privacy is constantly under threat, I am excited to introduce Private Chat, a secure, real-time WebSocket-based private chat app designed with privacy as the foundation. Private Chat ensures that your conversations remain truly private and free from tracking, surveillance, and data collection.

Why Private Chat?

I believe that privacy is a fundamental right, not a luxury. Unlike conventional messaging platforms, Private Chat does not store messages, log activity, or rely on third-party services. Every message is encrypted in transit, ensuring that only the intended recipients can access the conversation.

How It Works

You select a nickname and a room and join. Every message you send is relayed to a backend server, encrypted using a secure WebSocket protocol. The server broadcasts your message to every participant in the room, leaving no logs, no trace, and storing no messages. When a participant leaves the room, the history is lost forever. Only new messages can be seen by the current chat participants.

Here is how the backend I have running on my Diamonds VPN Kubernetes cluster looks:

As you can see, zero logs. Just the server saying: I'm running here.

Initial Features

✅ Real-time messaging using secure WebSockets
✅ Private chat rooms with strict access control
✅ Zero storage of message content on the server
✅ Containerized deployment for easy backend setup with Docker

Privacy Highlights

Worth repeating to make it clear:

🔒 No Message Storage: Messages are only relayed between participants and never stored.
🚫 No Logs: Production mode disables all logging to prevent metadata leaks.
🔗 No Third-Party Services: Operates independently without reliance on external services.
📡 Encrypted Transmission: All communication is secured via encrypted WebSockets.
🛠 Open Source: Full transparency — anyone can inspect and verify how Private Chat handles data.

Use My Instance or Host Your Own

I've hosted an instance at chat.vpn.diamonds — you can use it, or you can host your own instance by deploying the frontend app to Vercel (for free) and the backend to your own server. The service is lightweight and should run well on small servers.

If you're a developer, you're welcome to contribute! Pull requests are open for enhancements and new features.

I'm also looking forward to engaging with mobile developers and enabling any frontend app to switch to different backend servers, similar to how Mastodon apps allow login to different instances.

It's Just a First Version

This app was coded in just 2 days, as you can see in the source code history, and therefore, it will have bugs and unexpected behavior. Nevertheless, I'm happy to launch it and put it in your hands for you to test and provide feedback.

The Next Features on the Roadmap Include:

• Optional notifications / sounds
• Optionally disabling service messages
• View room participants
• Invite users to speak in private
• Send temporary voice messages
• Send temporary files
• Send temporary images
• Preview links
• Highlight links, mentions (@username), and room names (#lobby)
• Edit messages
• Multiline messages
• Reply to specific messages
• Share chat
• Invite to chat

And more 🙂

Join the Privacy Revolution

With Private Chat, you’re in control of your conversations. No tracking. No storage. No compromise.

Start using Private Chat today and experience true digital privacy. 🚀

I don’t intend to sit back and watch that happen.

I’ll be spending the next years building privacy-focused platforms. Not just one, not just VPNs: an entire ecosystem of tools designed to take control away from centralized powers and give it back to the people.

Beyond VPNs

A VPN is just one piece of the puzzle. It’s important, but it’s not enough. True privacy goes deeper. That’s why I’m looking into decentralized messengers - protocols like SimpleX and Session. Whether I join forces with them or create something new, the goal is the same: a communication platform where no one (not even the service provider) can read your messages.

Telegram? It’s already dead. Not in the sense that people aren’t using it, but in the sense that it’s no longer the private, independent platform it once was. With phone number requirements, KYC for bots and channels related rewards, sudden accounts termination, increasing censorship, and who knows what happening behind closed doors, it’s clear that relying on Telegram for privacy was a mistake. It’s time to move forward.

Networks, Proxies, and Home Servers

Privacy isn’t just about messages; it’s about infrastructure. VPNs, proxies, self-hosted solutions - these are the foundation of a free and open internet. I’ve come across some promising projects in this space, and I see two paths: either I contribute to what’s already being built or I create something of my own. Either way, the mission is clear: a future where people can route their traffic without being tracked like lab rats.

That’s why I want to work with projects like Umbrel and other home server providers. If privacy is to be reclaimed, it has to start at home - with personal, self-hosted solutions that people actually own and control.

Education and Community

Technology alone won’t fix this problem. People need to understand why privacy matters and how to protect it. That’s why I’m also planning to launch an academy - a place for blogs, podcasts, videos, and a community of like-minded people who want to learn, share, and take action.

Because the truth is, we already lost a lot of our digital freedom. We just don’t realize it. Every day, new regulations, surveillance programs, and corporate policies tighten the grip on what was once a free internet. But there’s still time to fight back.

This is my small contribution. My way of pushing back against a system that treats privacy like an optional feature instead of a fundamental right.

We took privacy for granted. Now we have to take it back.