Product Overview of Olvid
Olvid is a secure and feature-rich instant messaging application designed to provide users with a highly secure and private communication platform. Here’s an overview of what Olvid does and its key features:
What Olvid Does
Olvid is an instant messaging app that allows users to exchange messages, files (including documents, photos, videos, and voice messages), and make audio and video calls. The application is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Android, iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Key Features and Functionality
Security and Encryption
Olvid stands out for its robust security model, which ensures end-to-end encryption and authentication without relying on any trusted third-party servers. All data exchanged through Olvid, including messages and metadata, is encrypted from the sender’s device and can only be decrypted on the recipient’s device. This ensures that even if the servers are compromised, the messages remain secure and unreadable.
Multi-Device Support
Users can use the same Olvid profile on multiple devices simultaneously, ensuring that all contacts, groups, and settings are synchronized across all devices. This allows seamless continuation of conversations across different devices.
Advanced Messaging Features
- Message Formatting: Supports Markdown formatting on iOS and macOS.
- Mentions: Users can mention others in messages using the @name format.
- Pinning and Archiving: Discussions can be pinned or archived for better organization.
- Ephemeral Messages: Messages can be set to delete automatically after a specified time.
- Read-only Discussions: Administrators can create read-only discussions where only they can post.
Multimedia and File Sharing
- Secure Video Calls: Supports video calls with up to three participants, ensuring crystal-clear sound and security.
- Secure Audio Calls: Multi-user audio calls with high security standards.
- File Sharing: Users can share various types of files, including documents, photos, and videos.
Location Sharing and Other Features
- Geographical Location Sharing: Users can share their location once or continuously.
- Secure Preview of External Links: Enhances security by providing a secure preview of external links before opening them.
- Search Across Messages: Users can search across all messages in a discussion.
- Hidden Profiles: Allows the use of hidden profiles that are invisible without an additional procedure.
Enterprise and Management Features
- Olvid Management Console: Includes features for enterprise deployment, such as Keycloak plugin for Single Sign-On (SSO) and enterprise directory integration.
- Mobile Device Management (MDM): Facilitates the management of a fleet of mobile devices for easy deployment in companies.
Open Source and Transparency
Olvid has transitioned to an open-source model, with its Android and iOS application code available on GitHub. This transparency, combined with regular audits and documentation of its cryptographic protocols, enhances trust and security.
In summary, Olvid offers a comprehensive and highly secure communication platform with a wide range of features that cater to both individual and enterprise users, ensuring privacy, security, and ease of use across multiple devices.