Briar (Instant Messenger)
| Briar
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| Basic data
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| developer | Briar team |
| Current version |
1.2.4 ( November 6, 2019 ) |
| operating system | Android |
| programming language | Java |
| category | Instant messaging |
| License | GNU General Public License, version 3 |
| German speaking | Yes |
| briarproject.org | |
Briar (English svw. Thorny thickets , bush ) is a free peer-to-peer - Instant Messenger . Briar works without a central server and requires only minimal external infrastructure. Connections are made with Tor via Bluetooth , WLAN or the Internet . All conversation contents are end-to-end encrypted and only saved on the devices of the communication partners involved.
As of version 1.2.4, new communication partners can make each other known both by means of a mutual link exchange via a remote side channel and by direct device-to-device contact, whereby for this very secure method both must be in the same place at the same time. In addition, an already known contact can be proposed to another known contact via an invitation proposal. Briar differs from other messengers in that no personal data such as SIM card, telephone number, e-mail address or messenger ID are required for contact registration.
The software currently includes modules for communicating with contacts, groups of contacts, discussion forums and blogging functions. It is planned to expand the project to include crisis mapping and collaborative groupware functions. However, a version for the iOS operating system is currently considered unrealizable.
Important user groups for Briar include activists and journalists who depend on secure communication. Because of the meshed network built into Briar , it can also work without a functioning internet infrastructure and in this way support aid in disaster situations , for example . The goal is a communication system that is "as simple as WhatsApp and as secure as PGP , and that continues to work if someone breaks the Internet".
Briar is Free Software under the GPLv3 license and was subjected to an initial security audit by the German IT security company Cure53, which specializes in penetration tests. The report was published on March 20, 2017 and was very positive; a second security audit should be carried out after the end of the development phase. The first release candidate 1.0 was published on April 29, 2018.
See also
- Serval Project (English page)
- BATMAN
- Mesh network
- Tox (protocol)
Web links
- briarproject.org - official website
- Briar - Resilient P2P Messaging for Everyone - Video recording of the talk with audio tracks in multiple languages at the 2017 Chaos Communications Congress (34C3) December 30, 2017.
- Briar and the Crypto Messenger Evolution on YouTube - video recording of the conference talk (46:50) FISL17 July 16, 2016.
Individual evidence
- ↑ November 6, 2019.
- ↑ Briar . (accessed November 27, 2018).
- ^ The Briar Project Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page . (accessed November 27, 2018).
- ↑ LICENSE.txt master briar / briar . (accessed November 27, 2018).
- ↑ Add Other Means to Add Contacts (# 261) Issues briar / briar. Retrieved November 27, 2018 .
- ↑ Many of you have asked for iOS support. Unfortunately, our latest research confirms that this is technically impossible. Hints to the contrary are welcome !. In: Twitter . November 25, 2017 ( twitter.com [accessed November 27, 2018]).
- ↑ iOS and iPhone (# 445) Issues briar / briar. Retrieved November 27, 2018 .
- ^ Out in the Open: Take Back Your Privacy With This Open Source WhatsApp . In: WIRED . ( wired.com [accessed November 27, 2018]).
- ^ Knight News Challenge - Knight Foundation. Retrieved November 27, 2018 .
- ↑ briar / briar. Retrieved November 27, 2018 .
- ↑ Pentest Report Briar Project App & Protocol 03.2017. (PDF)
- ↑ Briar - Darknet Messenger Releases Beta, Passes Security Audit. Retrieved November 27, 2018 .