C-toxcore: [Proposal] Public channels

[SlugFiller]

A public channel is similar to a group chat, but differs in how users are managed. In a group chat, users need to be explicitly invited by a moderator of the group chat. In a public channel, subscription is based on a shared secret (arbitrary string), so anyone who knows the secret can join and leave at any time, and no one has special privileges (No way to ban a user).

Also, while a group has an "explicit" existence (one of the clients must create it before inviting others), a public channel has an implicit existence, that is, joining a channel that does not exist creates it.

This could be useful for quickly creating large makeshift groups using a throwaway secret (without the hassle of having to add/verify everyone's ids), or having large persistent public IRC-like channels in cases where moderation is not a priority/requirement.

Having an audio channel which you could freely join/leave (and possibly un/mute specific users) would be even better.

[nurupo]

Public channels? More like secret channels, since you need to know the password to join it, can't join without it.

Good idea, keep the issue open so that we don't forget about it once we get to improving the group chats.

[fcore117]

I had similar idea too years ago for Tox, would be perfect way to create quick chat like adding temporary Tox id to some website comments(news article for example) and when people click on it then he/she joins a live chat.