Press Release
-Darknet Messenger Releases Beta, Passes Security Audit
-July 21 2017
- -- After extensive private beta tests, the first public beta of Briar was released today. - Briar is a secure messaging app for Android. -
-- Unlike other popular apps, Briar does not require servers to work. - It connects users directly using a peer-to-peer network. - This makes it resistant to censorship and allows it to work even without internet access. -
-- The app encrypts all data end-to-end and also hides metadata about who is communicating. - This is the next step in the evolution of secure messaging. - No communication ever enters the public internet. - Everything is sent via the Tor anonymity network or local networks. -
-- With today's beta release, the Briar team also publishes the results of an independent security audit - (PDF). - It was performed by Cure53 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 "the quality and readability of the app’s source code was rather exceptional" - and highlight "a good understanding of vulnerability patterns and threats". - All the issues found by the audit have been addressed in this beta release. - The report concludes that Briar "is able to offer a good level of privacy and security. - In other words, the Briar secure messenger can be recommended for use." -
-- 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 issue tracker. - 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 accounts and data will expire with the beta. -
- -Media
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About Briar
-- 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. -
-- Briar has received funding from Small Media, - the Open Internet Tools Project, - Access - and the Open Technology Fund. -
- -Contact
-Torsten Grote <t@grobox.de> [PGP key]
-Michael Rogers <contact@briarproject.org> [PGP key]
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