It wasn't so long ago that we reported on the release of Filc Diary 2.0, and now we have to go back to it again - Chalk has taken down the alternative client apps from the Play Store and App Store.
The legal details you can read here, I don't want to bore you with it.
A brief background: chalk does not have an official, documented public API, but it obviously has an API, as it is used to run client applications. If someone reverse-engineers this API, there is a good chance that they can build a collaborative application or applications with it. This is called fair use in the US. This is perfectly fine as long as the APIs are not used for the wrong purpose (e.g. to create data-stealing applications).
Chalk has taken down third-party client apps with a copyright request, now only their own app is officially available, but it's still not the real thing, despite the many improvements that have been made recently.
How the story will end is not known, let's hope for a happy ending.
I've used the Felt so far, I want to use it again, what should I do?
The app is currently operational, but it is uncertain for how long. If you want to use it, please visit filcnaplo.hu and download the apk file.
Users are being redirected towards installations from unknown sources
Currently, the only way for users to download the app is from filcnaplo.hu. Yes, but in the darkest days of the expensive internet, I wouldn't be surprised if APK files containing Trojans or other malware start appearing on the net, targeting the lost, less tech-friendly Judaizers. And, of course, they also steal data.
Always on the filcnaplo.hu from the side, or from the GitHubdownload the app if you persevere!
Freedom declines, Cretan monarchy takes over
Of course, the clear aim is to prevent open source apps developed by young people from being used by students. If we've burned so much money on it? It's nice to download the offisöl app, but download it now!
And indeed, many will :/
Nowadays, it is extremely important to focus on open source software, because every day there are data protection and data theft scandals, mass data collection by big tech companies, which is absolutely not a positive direction. Things do not have to be this way. Sorry, it shouldn't.
Transparency would be incredibly important, especially in a public system that handles a lot of sensitive data, not knowing how. Development costs would be reduced, security would be increased, if Chalk, or at least the clients, were open source. But that is hardly likely to happen. ????
There is a problem, but it is not this
As long as we are talking about transparent, transparent clients, there is no problem. The real problem is when cybercriminals see potential in a system with a lot of personal data. But... this can happen without Filc.
