Ricochet looks interesting (https://ricochet.im/), but can it scale with TOR as the means of transport?
As much as I like the notion of anonymous communication, I wonder if the TOR network can grow beyond its current state in order to be used reliably for this type of service. From what I understand, TOR needs lots of independent exit nodes to offer dependable anonymity and have enough bandwidth, but running an exit node seems to open you up to serious legal consequences because of content passing through it that may be illegal in your jurisdiction. Doesn't that rule out normal consumers running an exit node at home?
Richochet is a service on the Tor network, thus it would not hit exit nodes, only relays; an exit node is only required to reach traditional internet services, not hidden services.
As much as I like the notion of anonymous communication, I wonder if the TOR network can grow beyond its current state in order to be used reliably for this type of service. From what I understand, TOR needs lots of independent exit nodes to offer dependable anonymity and have enough bandwidth, but running an exit node seems to open you up to serious legal consequences because of content passing through it that may be illegal in your jurisdiction. Doesn't that rule out normal consumers running an exit node at home?