Delta Chat

Delta Chat is a unique messaging software that operates over the existing global e-mail infrastructure rather than a centralized server. It was developed to provide a private and secure communication alternative that does not require users to register their phone numbers or rely on proprietary corporate platforms. The project is an open-source initiative, with contributions from developers located globally, emphasizing transparency and data sovereignty.

Originally conceived in Germany, the project is characterized by its use of the Autocrypt standard for end-to-end encryption. Because the software is open-source (GPLv3), it is not owned by a traditional commercial corporation but is instead managed and maintained by a community of developers and the non-profit organization Merlinux GmbH. This structure ensures that the tool remains free of commercial tracking and independent of the surveillance-based business models common in the tech industry.