An offline messenger for Android
The Internet is the main communication tool for billions of people, but it is not always the most convenient. The lack of privacy, personalized tracking, the Big Data that devours data, and the need for anonymity in delicate situations force us to look for solid alternatives, and that is when Briar appears. This software takes a step away from traditional messengers by working in a decentralized way, synchronizing text directly between devices using WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity if the mobile network is not available.
We all agree that a smartphone without an Internet connection is almost a brick of plastic and silicon. The vast majority of apps need to establish a remote link, but we can still find examples that work offline. Now, what if I told you that one of those examples is an instant messenger? At first it would not make sense, since connections are critical for its operation, but that is exactly what the new Briar app can do. At first glance it seems like any other messenger, with open source development and an advanced security profile, however, it actually offers much more.
How Briar works offline
One of its essential objectives is the total decentralization of communications, directly linking users through a P2P network that never touches the 'public' Internet, and transmits all content via Tor. When the Internet goes down or is unavailable for other reasons (which need not be technical), Briar keeps information moving by enabling synchronization with nearby users using WiFi or Bluetooth. All connections in Briar are encrypted, thus blocking any attempt at censorship and/or tracking. Messages are stored on each device, without the intervention of cloud servers. When adding contacts, Briar suggests doing it in person, although we only have to exchange QR codes.
Briar supports the creation of private groups, small conversation forums, an integrated blog, and reading RSS feeds to stay up to date. The best part? The messenger has already been subjected to an independent audit by the Cure53 group, and all detected problems received their corresponding patches in the latest beta build. If downloading from Google Play Store is not an option, there is an updated copy on F-Droid, or we can download the APK from the official site, directly without intermediaries.
Official site: briarproject.org
