<p><strong>Ernir Erlingsson</strong> has been building mobile applications on multiple platforms for over a decade. He is a full stack developer, and an avid supporter of open-source software, with a keen interest in theoretical computer science and algorithms.</p>
<p>Briar has received funding from <ahref="http://smallmediafoundation.com/">Small Media</a>, the <ahref="https://openitp.org/">Open Internet Tools Project</a>, <ahref="https://accessnow.org/">Access</a> and the <ahref="https://www.opentech.fund">Open Technology Fund</a>.</p>
<p>Briar has received funding from <ahref="https://smallmedia.org.uk/">Small Media</a>, the <ahref="https://openitp.org/">Open Internet Tools Project</a>, <ahref="https://accessnow.org/">Access</a> and the <ahref="https://www.opentech.fund">Open Technology Fund</a>.</p>
<p>To contact the team, please email <ahref="mailto:contact@briarproject.org">contact@briarproject.org</a> [<ahref="keys/contact.asc">PGP key</a>].</p>
<p>Briar for Android is currently in private beta and will be available for download soon. If you'd like to be informed when the app is available, please <ahref="https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/briar-announce">join the announcement mailing list</a>.</p>
<p>Briar for Android is currently in <ahref="news/2017-beta-released-security-audit.html">public beta</a> and is available for download <ahref="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.briarproject.briar.beta">from Google Play</a>. If you'd like to be informed when the final app is available, please <ahref="https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/briar-announce">join the announcement mailing list</a>.</p>
<p>If you're interested in getting involved or following the progress of the project, please <ahref="https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/briar-devel">join the development mailing list</a> or email <ahref="mailto:contact@briarproject.org">contact@briarproject.org</a> [<ahref="keys/contact.asc">PGP key</a>].</p>
After extensive private beta tests, the first public beta of Briar was <ahref="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 <ahref="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 <ahref="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>
(<ahref="../raw/BRP-01-report.pdf">PDF</a>).
It was performed by <ahref="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 <ahref="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.
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 <ahref="https://smallmedia.org.uk">Small Media</a>,
the <ahref="https://openitp.org/">Open Internet Tools Project</a>,
<ahref="https://accessnow.org/">Access</a>
and the <ahref="https://www.opentech.fund">Open Technology Fund</a>.
</p>
<h3>Contact</h3>
<p>Torsten Grote <<ahref="mailto:t@grobox.de">t@grobox.de</a>> [<ahref="https://grobox.de/gpg/0x74DCA8A36C52F833.asc">PGP key</a>]</p>