We know that security is a crucial characteristic when using the Internet. Nowadays, things have evolved to the point where our data can be easily shared around, right?
Additionally, another important factor to consider today is that social networks are increasingly becoming less about freedom of expression, with instances of censorship on the rise.
Traditional social networks are leaving users dissatisfied due to increased censorship, advertisements, and, in some cases, even requiring paid subscriptions to use and have a more personalized experience.
Therefore, many developers are striving to create a decentralized social network where people can express themselves freely without the risk of having their information leaked or used by large corporations.
This is how the Damus app emerged, a Nostr client, which is a social network similar to X (formerly Twitter). And today, we will understand more about Damus in this article.
Let’s dive in!
What is Nostr?
Nostr is a free, open-source protocol that allows the creation of a decentralized social network; meaning it doesn’t require a central server or a company responsible for its operations.
This protocol enables the existence of a censorship-resistant social network, and the most common way people use Nostr is through apps similar to Twitter (X).
However, it is possible to create a Nostr client with various functionalities, such as an app similar to Telegram or a censorship-resistant version of Wikipedia.
Nostr operates with two essential components:
- Clients: These are apps created on the platform and function as a social network. Damus, which we will discuss later, is a Nostr client.
- Relays: These are software and hardware that send, receive, and store text messages. Relays can be operated by anyone with a computer and an Internet connection. They function similarly to Bitcoin nodes.
Additionally, creating an account on a Nostr client does not require providing your name, date of birth, email, or any similar information.
Therefore, creating an account on one Nostr client also serves other Nostr clients, functioning as a large network of interconnected apps.
What is Damus?
Damus is a decentralized social network developed by William Casarin that operates on Nostr.
Damus is a Nostr client, meaning an app available for iOS, iPad, and MacOS. It was officially released on the App Store on January 31, 2023.
The app’s purpose is to be similar to X but aims to surpass it. With Damus, you can post texts, videos, images, and even gifs. Additionally, texts can be longer than on X.
You can also make ‘zaps’ in the app, which is essentially sending some satoshis to a user directly through the app.
Moreover, you can ‘zap’ someone’s profile or a post they made.
How did the Damus app emerge on Nostr?
Damus, a decentralized social network, emerged on Nostr with the support of important figures in the Bitcoin world like Jack Dorsey and William Casarin, the project’s creator and developer.
Shortly after Nostr’s protocol was announced, several people supported the idea, including Twitter’s co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey, who donated nearly 14 BTC, equivalent to US$245,000 at the time, to fund Nostr’s development in 2022.
Fiatjaf, Nostr’s programmer and creator, received the donation. He then announced on his Twitter (X) profile that half of the funds would go to the DFND – Damus Foundation for Nostr Development.
Soon after, Jack Dorsey himself tweeted when the Damus app was launched.
As stated above, Damus was founded and developed by William Casarin. However, it had the help of 44 more developers involved in the project.
In addition, the application was first released on the App Store, only for iPhone.
Characteristics of Damus
As we have seen throughout the article, Damus is a decentralized social networking app that gained prominence due to its unique features, based on the Nostr protocol (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays).
Some of its main characteristics are:
- User control: There is no platform to ban users, as everything is built on an open-source system.
- No registration required: No need to share personal information.
- No addictive algorithms and free from ads and advertisements.
- You can send and receive tips (zaps) via the Lightning Network, support content creators, and help circulate the best money in the world, Bitcoin.
- Relays help avoid DDoS attacks.
- Interoperable with any other Nostr app.
Damus Purple
Damus Purple is a subscription service aimed at “free speech maximalists,” according to their website. This subscription provides exclusive features to users and helps fund the project.
However, it is important to note that subscribing to Damus Purple is not necessary to have a good experience with the app. The subscription aims to offer additional benefits to those who wish to support the project financially.
Subscribers to Damus Purple get the following benefits:
- Support Damus development, helping to build the future of decentralized communication;
- Early access to premium features, such as automatic translation and longer notes;
- Receive a special badge on their profile as recognition for their contribution to the technology.
The Damus Purple subscription costs 15,000 sats per month, which is approximately $8.50 at the current exchange rate, and can be paid via Lightning or fiat currency through Apple Pay for iOS devices.
How does privacy work in the Damus app?
Privacy in Damus is guaranteed by a system of public and private keys (similar to Bitcoin), eliminating the need for logins and putting users in control of their data.
Since it is a decentralized network, privacy is a very important factor in Damus. Its proposal is to be much more secure with your data than any other social networking app.
Therefore, your IP address is exposed to relays (transmitters) you connect to and third-party media hosts, such as nostr.build, imgur.com, giphy.com, youtube.com, among others.
Your IP is rendered on Damus itself. To enhance your privacy, consider using a service that hides your IP address from online trackers, such as VPN services.
Relays can also identify which public keys you are requesting, meaning your public key will be linked to your IP address.
It is publicly known which other profiles (npubs – public addresses) you are exchanging direct messages (DMs) with. However, the content of the DMs is encrypted.
Comparing Damus with other apps
Damus has emerged as an efficient and decentralized alternative to Twitter and Mastodon, which also offer decentralized social networking.
However, Damus stands out for its unique aspects compared to these alternatives.
While Twitter operates with a centralized server, Mastodon has several servers distributed around the world. However, there is a risk of some of these servers acting authoritatively and compromising the network.
In the case of Damus, there are multiple servers, known as relays, globally distributed. Therefore, if you post something that a specific relay does not want to transmit, your message will still be disseminated by another relay, ensuring uncensored communication.
How to use Damus on Nostr?
First, download the Damus app from the App Store.
After downloading the app, open it and click on “Let’s get started!”. Don’t forget to accept the terms of service.
If you already have a Nostr account, just paste your access key. But if you are creating a new account, click on ‘Create Account’.
Let’s follow the tutorial for those creating their first account on Damus.
After clicking on “Create Account,” your public key and an avatar will be displayed on the screen. If you wish, you can replace this avatar with a photo of yourself and enter your name and description.
Then, click on “Create Account Now.”
Now, your public and private keys will be displayed on the screen. Store the private key in a safe place, as it is the key to access your profile.
Done! Now, when you access Damus, you will notice that the interface is very similar to Twitter’s.
Finally, by clicking on your avatar (in the upper left corner), a sidebar with several options will be displayed.
In this sidebar, you can access your profile, where you will find information about your public key, the number of people you follow, your followers, and the number of relays you are connected to.
Additionally, in the “wallet” tab, you can connect a wallet to start receiving and sending satoshis via the app through the Lightning Network.
Conclusion
The internet is evolving, and this isn’t the “web 3” idea that many crypto enthusiasts have been spreading around.
Damus is the result of a truly decentralized protocol that can change the way we use social networks, websites, and how our information is shared on the internet.
If you think traditional social networks are boring, with too much censorship, excessive ads, and an algorithm that doesn’t seem useful, then Damus is an excellent alternative to escape the dominance of big techs owning social networks.
Additionally, if you don’t have an iOS device to use Damus, don’t worry, as there is an Android equivalent called Amethyst.
The app works the same way and has a similar interface but is for Android.
I hope you enjoyed this article.
See you next time!
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Founder of Area Bitcoin, one of the largest Bitcoin education projects in the world, she is a marketer, passionate about technology, and a full-time hands-on professional. She has participated in major Bitcoin conferences such as Adopting Bitcoin, Satsconf, Surfin Bitcoin, and Bitcoin Conference.
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