Briar

Briar is an open­-source, decentralized, encrypted messaging system that is designed for human rights activists, journalists, and anyone who needs a safe and easy way to communicate when Internet connectivity is uncertain. Briar is meant to secure communications via encryption and ensure message delivery wherever large groups of people converge, such as during the Occupy Hong Kong protests. It does not rely on a central server, and messages are synchronized directly between the users’ devices. Briar can sync via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi when the Internet provided ISP’s or mobile networks are down. When the Internet becomes available again, Briar can sync via the Tor network in order to avoid repressive surveillance. Briar devices also sync up with each other creating an ad-hoc network, even without Internet access, when they are within close range of each other.

This project allows Briar to develop a fully functioning cross-platform messaging app that supports private messaging, forums and blogs.