| Briar | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Initial release | 9 May 2018; 7 years ago (2018-05-09)[1] | ||
| Stable release(s) | |||
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| Repository | code | ||
| Written in | Java,Kotlin[3] | ||
| Operating system | Android, Windows, macOS, desktop Linux; support forLinux mobile operating systems in beta | ||
| Type | Mesh networking,instant messaging | ||
| License | GPL-3.0-or-later | ||
| Website | briarproject | ||
Briar is anopen-source software communication technology, intended to provide secure and resilientpeer-to-peer communications with no centralized servers and minimal reliance on external infrastructure. Messages can be transmitted throughBluetooth,Wi-Fi, over the internet viaTor or removable storage, such asUSB sticks. All communication isend-to-end encrypted. Relevant content is stored in encrypted form on participating devices. Long-term plans for the project include support for distributed applications such as crisis mapping and collaborative document editing.
The initial target audience for Briar includes "activists, journalists and civil society" with plans to make the system "simple enough to help anyone keep their data safe."[4] As the ability to function in the absence of internet infrastructure may also make the project valuable to disaster response and aid organizations, the developers are working with the Open Humanitarian Initiative and Taarifa.[5] Ultimately, the developers aim to create a system which is "as simple to use asWhatsApp, as secure asPGP, and that keeps working if somebody breaks the Internet."[5] It is possible for an Android device to download Briar from another Android device which already has Briar installed.[6]
Briar's source code is published asfree software and the Android app is distributed under the terms of theGNU GPL-3.0-or-later license, while the desktop version is released under theGNU Affero General Public License.[7] Briar Desktop runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Briar Desktop will also run on true Linux (non-Android) mobile phones, running operating systems likeManjaro,PureOS andpostmarketOS,[8] once it has been adapted to mobile form-factors.[9]
Briar’s core protocol, threat model, development process, and user experience design began development in 2011 by Michael Rogers and Eleanor Saitta.[10][11]
Briar was audited byCure53 and spoken highly of in a report delivered 20 March 2017, and was recommended to be given a second audit after development completes.[12][13] As of 2018 the project received $361,100 of funding from theOpen Technology Fund.[14]
Briar uses the Brambleprotocol suite (Bramble Handshake Protocol, Bramble QR Code Protocol, Bramble Rendezvous Protocol, Bramble Synchronisation Protocol, Bramble Transport Protocol) that is specifically designed fordelay-tolerant networks.[15] As of January 2023, these protocols are not implemented by other messengers; Briar can only talk to Briar.
Briar developers have no plans for providing iOS app.[16][17]
Similar opensource alternative Berty Messenger provides both Android and iOS apps, as well desktop client for common desktop OS.[18]
Will there be an iOS version of Briar? Short answer: Probably not.
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