Simplex is a project by a fervent COVID conspiracy theorist FYI. (Evidence: his Twitter page)

And the internet is originally made by the US army (i.e. professional murderers). Doesn't make the internet bad as a technology.

Simplex is quite well designed. Even if it doesn't succeed, I think we'll see its forks and similar implementations.

Wouldn't that lend it credibility if your concern was privacy?