Briar Beta is a free messaging app based around privacy principles. The app transmits data via peer-to-peer TOR networks, local Wi-Fi and Bluetooth systems to allow for less governmental restrictions and snooping.

Fighting for privacy

Designed by a professional team of digital rights activists, Briar Beta is a messaging service with a focus on limited intervention. After a series of high profile events where traditional social media and messaging services were shut down by governments and providers during periods of civil unrest, the team behind the app aimed to create a more reliable system which removes the ability to restrict population's ability to communicate. Messages and data are saved on user's devices over cloud based system, data is transmitted via anonymous TOR networks and can even operate over look Wi-Fi or Bluetooth systems in the case of an internet shutdown. In terms of user interface, it follows a similar style to more popular messaging apps with group chats, live chat and more. Overall, Briar Beta appears to be an important and politicly driven project led by an active and engaged team of developers. While the TOR network transfer can mean that data is slow, fans of privacy should be happy to take the small performance hit.

Solid start

Briar Beta is an important step towards building technology that helps users maintain a level of privacy over their online communication and presence. The Beta state does mean bugs, but work is ongoing