Briar
Summary
Briar is an encrypted messaging app that sends messages over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,or Tor. The app can be downloaded on Google Play or F-Droid.
Privacy Checklist
Is any kind of biometric data collected (health, heart, voice, etc.)?
Are you able to delete your data / the data collected about you?
Does it use cookies, telemetry, or third-party tracking scripts?
Is the privacy policy user-friendly (easy to understand)?
Does it have parental controls?
Does it use encryption to protect your data both in-transit and at-rest?
Does it get regular software and / or firmware updates?
Does it require you to create a strong password?
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Does it have a privacy policy?
How Can It Snoop?
Does it have a camera or request / require access to a camera?
Does it have a microphone or request / require access to a microphone?
Does it track your location or request / require access to location data?
Account Requirements
Does it require an email address to use?
Does it require a phone number to use?
Does it require an address (home or office) to use?
Payment Options
Are you able to use a credit card as a payment option?
Are you able to use a cryptocurrency as a payment option?
Are you able to use PayPal as a payment option?
Are you able to use cash or gift cards as a payment option?
What Could Go Wrong?
Virtually no risk. The Briar Project does not collect any information on users, and they could not access any messages even if they wanted to as the app is completely peer-to-peer.
How Does It Share Your Data?
The Briar Project does not collect any information from users, except if you visit the website or choose to send feedback or a crash report.
Good Things
- Peer-to-peer.
- End-to-end encrypted.
- Functions over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Tor.
Bad Things
- Not available on all platforms.