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XMPP is an instant messaging protocol, like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, QQ, and whatever other instant messaging apps you use. However, unlike those, XMPP is an open protocol. Essentially, anyone can use the XMPP specifications to make an instant messenger without paying anything. WhatsApp is also based on XMPP, but it has a backdoor from Facebook that removes a lot of the privacy that XMPP gives to users.
XMPP is also decentralized. If one server goes down, there's still a lot more to pick from! This is especially helpful for people in censored countries, because a government can't easily stop something decentralized unless they have a lot of power.
XMPP has a ton of other stuff, like OMEMO that will be explained in full later in this guide.
Get started by choosing a client.