Product Overview: Briar
Briar is a secure, peer-to-peer messaging application designed specifically for activists, journalists, and anyone who requires a safe, easy, and robust way to communicate, particularly in high-risk environments.
Key Purpose
Briar is built to provide censorship-resistant and surveillance-proof communication. Unlike traditional messaging apps that rely on central servers, Briar synchronizes messages directly between users’ devices, ensuring that data is not stored in the cloud and is thus more secure.
Key Features
Decentralized Communication
Briar operates without the need for a central server. Messages are exchanged directly between devices using various methods such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the Tor network. This decentralized approach protects users from surveillance and censorship.
Offline Capability
Even when the internet is unavailable, Briar can synchronize messages via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, ensuring continuous communication during crises.
Encryption and Security
Briar employs end-to-end encryption and custom-designed cryptographic protocols to ensure the confidentiality of message metadata and content. It also offers forward security and resistance to denial-of-service attacks, meeting very high security standards.
Multiple Communication Channels
- Private Messaging: Secure one-on-one and group messaging.
- Public Forums: Encrypted forums for group discussions.
- Blogs: Users can post updates and news that are automatically shared with their contacts. Blogs can be read, written, and reblogged with optional comments.
Additional Security Measures
- Screen Lock: Users can lock the Briar app with a PIN, pattern, or password, using the same security method as their device, to protect their privacy when others use their device.
Flexibility and Accessibility
Briar is free and open-source software, ensuring that it remains accessible to all users. It supports synchronization via the Tor network when the internet is available, further enhancing user privacy.
Future Development
Briar’s long-term plans include expanding its capabilities beyond messaging to support secure, distributed applications such as crisis mapping and collaborative document editing. The goal is to enable users to create safe spaces for debating topics, planning events, and organizing social movements.
In summary, Briar offers a robust and secure communication solution that is tailored for high-risk users, providing a reliable, decentralized, and encrypted way to communicate, even in the absence of internet connectivity.