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<title>Briar - Darknet Messenger Releases Beta, Passes Security Audit</title>
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<h2>Press Release</h2>
<h2>Darknet Messenger Releases Beta, Passes Security Audit</h2>
<h5>July 21 2017</h5>
<p>
After extensive private beta tests, the first public beta of Briar was <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.briarproject.briar.beta">released today</a>.
Briar is a secure messaging app for Android.
</p>
<p>
Unlike other popular apps, Briar does not require servers to work.
It connects users directly using a <strong>peer-to-peer network</strong>.
This makes it resistant to censorship and allows it to work even without internet access.
</p>
<p>
The app encrypts all data end-to-end and also <strong>hides metadata</strong> about who is communicating.
This is the <a href="https://blog.grobox.de/2016/briar-next-step-of-the-crypto-messenger-evolution/">next step in the evolution of secure messaging</a>.
No communication ever enters the public internet.
Everything is sent via the <a href="https://www.torproject.org">Tor anonymity network</a> or local networks.
</p>
<p>
With today's beta release, the Briar team also publishes the results of an <strong>independent security audit</strong>
(<a href="../raw/BRP-01-report.pdf">PDF</a>).
It was performed by <a href="https://cure53.de">Cure53</a> who are known for their audits of SecureDrop, Cryptocat and Dovecot.
Six testers took a total of thirteen days to look for flaws in Briar's cryptographic protocols and code.
In their report, they state "<i>the quality and readability of the app’s source code was rather exceptional</i>"
and highlight "<i>a good understanding of vulnerability patterns and threats</i>".
All the issues found by the audit have been addressed in this beta release.
The report concludes that Briar "<i>is able to offer a <strong>good level of privacy and security</strong>.
In other words, the Briar secure messenger can be recommended for use.</i>"
</p>
<p>
Briar's development team is looking for feedback on today's beta release.
You can submit your feedback anonymously through the app
or publicly in the project's <a href="https://code.briarproject.org/akwizgran/briar/issues">issue tracker</a>.
Before the final release, changes to the peer-to-peer protocol are expected,
so users will not be able to migrate their accounts to the final version.
For security reasons, their <strong>accounts and data will expire</strong> with the beta.
</p>
<h3>Media</h3>
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<a href="../raw/screenshots/00_password.png"><img src="../raw/screenshots/00_password.png"/></a>
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<a href="../raw/screenshots/03_private_messages.png"><img src="../raw/screenshots/03_private_messages.png"/></a>
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<img src="../img/architecture-simple.png" style="width:100%;"/>
<h3>About Briar</h3>
<p>
Briar is a messaging app designed for activists, journalists, and anyone else who needs a safe, easy and robust way to communicate.
Unlike traditional messaging tools such as email, Twitter or Telegram, Briar doesn't rely on a central server - messages are synchronized directly between the users' devices.
If the internet's down, Briar can sync via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, keeping the information flowing in a crisis.
If the internet's up, Briar can sync via the Tor network, protecting users and their relationships from surveillance.
</p>
<p>
Briar has received funding from <a href="https://smallmedia.org.uk">Small Media</a>,
the <a href="https://openitp.org/">Open Internet Tools Project</a>,
<a href="https://accessnow.org/">Access</a>
and the <a href="https://www.opentech.fund">Open Technology Fund</a>.
</p>
<h3>Contact</h3>
<p>Torsten Grote <<a href="mailto:t@grobox.de">t@grobox.de</a>> [<a href="https://grobox.de/gpg/0x74DCA8A36C52F833.asc">PGP key</a>]</p>
<p>Michael Rogers <<a href="mailto:contact@briarproject.org">contact@briarproject.org</a>> [<a href="../keys/contact.asc">PGP key</a>]</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/BriarApp">@BriarApp</a></p>
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