• Huddle01 is an innovative video calling platform that tackles the issues of privacy and security in popular platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Created by Ayush Ranjan and Susmut Lavania, Huddle01 uses a decentralized approach called peer-to-peer (P2P) technology.
• This means that your data is stored on your own device instead of on a central server, making it more difficult for hackers or unwanted parties to access your information. Huddle01 offers unique features such as token-gated meetings, where you can have exclusive and private gatherings, and the ability to use NFTs as profile pictures for added creativity.
• With a focus on user privacy and cutting-edge functionality, Huddle01 aims to revolutionize the video calling experience while keeping your conversations secure and confidential.
Have you ever been 'zoom-bombed'? As ridiculous as its name sounds, the seriousness of this issue on the contrary is quite high. Leveraging web2 has been a hassle for users using platforms like Meet, Zoom, Teams, etc. where the call is routed through the platforms’ base of operations (North America in this context) which can be targeted by groups of miscreants or worse, hackers.
To tackle this, in 2020 Ayush Ranjan and Susmut Lavania came up with an idea which is now the platform called Huddle01.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) technology is the foundation of the decentralized video calling platform Huddle01. This indicates that information is kept on individual user devices rather than centralized servers.
As a result, Huddle01 is more private and secure than conventional video calling services, as no outside entity can access or monitor the data being communicated.
Problems Tackling:
Video calling security and data privacy are some of the major issues being addressed by Huddle01. Traditional centralized video calling systems like Zoom and Google Meet access all the information sent during a video conversation and save it on the platform provider's servers.
The platform provider is then able to access and follow the transferred data thanks to this. For instance, Zoom has come under fire for its handling of user data. The data Zoom had been gathering on its customers, including their IP addresses, device IDs, and location data, was made public in 2019.
Even when users weren't actively utilizing the Zoom platform, this information was being collected. Microsoft Teams is also a centralized platform. This means that Microsoft has access to all the data transmitted during a Teams’ video call. This includes the audio, video, and chat data.
Solutions Provided:
A decentralized solution to the issue of data security and privacy in video calling is being offered by Huddle01. Since Huddle01 is a peer-to-peer network, data is not kept on a single server. Instead, information is kept on the users' own devices. A third party cannot access or follow the sent data as a result.
Additionally, Huddle01 values user privacy. Users' personal information is not collected by the platform. This means that Huddle01 cannot keep tabs on your online activities or sell your personal information to marketers.
Hence, what happens on a Huddle01 call, stays in the huddle01 call!
Product Overview:
Any device with a web browser may access the web-based platform. The platform doesn't need to be installed and is simple to use. Create an account on Huddle01 and ask your friends and coworkers to join you to get started.
Traditional video calling services do not offer a variety of things that Huddle01 does, such as:
● Token-gated meetings: Users have the ability to establish meetings that require a specific token to enter. This can be applied to arrange exclusive or private meetings.
● NFTs as profile images: Users can upload NFTs to use as their profile photos on Huddle01. Users may use NFTs to show off their ownership and engage in greater creative expression in this way.
● Decentralized storage: Meeting recordings are kept in decentralized storage by Huddle01. This indicates that a network of computers rather than a single server is where the recordings are kept. This increases the recordings' security and censorship resistance.
● Decentralized live streaming: Additionally, Huddle01 offers distributed live streaming. As opposed to streaming live video to a single server, users may now broadcast video to a network of computers. This increases the scalability and reliability of live broadcasting.
Market Status:
Huddle01 has raised 4.6 million USD as of today going through 2 funding rounds and taking the tally of their investors to a total of 19. It is still in its early stages, but it has already gained a significant amount of traction.
The platform has over 10,000 users and has hosted over 100,000 meetings. Huddle01 is also generating revenue through a subscription model.
Additionally, Huddle01 provides a video meeting dApp that supports wallet-to-wallet video communication and is built on its very own media infrastructure. Additional features like token-gating, live streaming, decentralized storage, and more are on the way.
Team:
Huddle01 has grown quite a lot since its initial funding, comprising multiple talented and experienced members. As for the founding duo, Ayush is a Software Engineer with experience in building decentralized applications while Susmit is a Business Development Executive with experience in the blockchain industry.
Why check out this startup?
There are a number of reasons why you might want to check out Huddle01.
● Security: Huddle01 is a decentralized platform, which means that your data is not stored on any one server. This makes it more secure and resistant to hacking and censorship.
● Privacy: Huddle01 does not track your data or sell it to advertisers. This means that you can use the platform without having to worry about your privacy being invaded.
● Features: Huddle01 offers a number of features that are not available on other video calling platforms, such as token-gated meetings, NFT profile pictures, and decentralized storage.
Game changer or not?
There are a number of up-and-coming competitions in the form of Chainlink and Kaleido but within its own rights, Huddle01 is a promising new video-calling platform that offers a number of advantages over traditional centralized platforms.
Huddle01 is more secure, private, and feature-rich than its competitors. If you are looking for a video calling platform that respects your privacy and security, then Huddle01 is a great option.
Huddle01 is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to be a major player in the video calling market. The platform has already gained a significant amount of traction, and it is only going to grow in popularity in the future.
If you are interested in trying out Huddle01, you can sign up for a free account on the Huddle01 website.
Edited by Shruti Thapa