Briar

Briar is an open-source software communication technology built to provide secure and resilient peer-to-peer communications with no centralized servers and minimal reliance on external infrastructure. Messages can be transmitted through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, over the internet via Tor, or via removable storage such as USB sticks. All communication is end-to-end encrypted, and relevant content is stored in encrypted form on participating devices. The project's long-term plans 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. Because the ability to function without internet infrastructure may also make the project valuable to disaster response and aid organizations, the developers have worked with the Open Humanitarian Initiative and Taarifa. Ultimately, the developers aim to create a system that is "as simple to use as WhatsApp, as secure as PGP, and that keeps working if somebody breaks the Internet." An Android device can download Briar from another Android device that already has Briar installed. Briar's source code is published as free software. The Android app is distributed under the GNU GPL-3.0-or-later license, while the desktop version is released under the GNU Affero General Public License. Briar Desktop runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It will also run on true Linux (non-Android) mobile phones running operating systems like Manjaro, PureOS, and postmarketOS once adapted to mobile form factors. Briar's core protocol, threat model, development process, and user experience design began development in 2011 by Michael Rogers and Eleanor Saitta. The project was audited by Cure53 and spoken highly of in a report delivered 20 March 2017, and was recommended for a second audit after development completes. As of 2018, the project had received $361,100 of funding from the Open Technology Fund. Briar uses the Bramble protocol suite (Bramble Handshake Protocol, Bramble QR Code Protocol, Bramble Rendezvous Protocol, Bramble Synchronisation Protocol, Bramble Transport Protocol), specifically designed for delay-tolerant networks. As of January 2023, these protocols are not implemented by other messengers; Briar can only talk to Briar. The developers have no plans for an iOS app; similar open-source alternatives include Berty Messenger, which provides Android, iOS, and desktop clients.

Briar's core protocol, threat model, development process, and user experience design began development in 2011 by Michael Rogers and Eleanor Saitta. The project was conceived as an open-source communication technology to provide secure and resilient peer-to-peer communications with no centralized servers and minimal reliance on external infrastructure. The initial target audience included activists, journalists, and civil society, with plans to make the system simple enough for anyone to keep their data safe. Because the ability to function without internet infrastructure may also make the project valuable to disaster response and aid organizations, the developers worked with the Open Humanitarian Initiative and Taarifa. The project was audited by Cure53 and spoken highly of in a report delivered 20 March 2017, and was recommended to be given a second audit after development completes. As of 2018, the project had received $361,100 of funding from the Open Technology Fund. Briar uses the Bramble protocol suite, specifically designed for delay-tolerant networks. As of January 2023, these protocols are not implemented by other messengers; Briar can only talk to Briar. The developers have no plans for an iOS app; similar open-source alternatives include Berty Messenger, which provides Android, iOS, and desktop clients.

• 2018

  Project has received $361,100 of funding from the Open Technology Fund.

• 2017

  Cure53 delivers an audit report on 20 March 2017, speaking highly of Briar and recommending a second audit after development completes.

• 2011

  Development of Briar's core protocol, threat model, and UX design begins by Michael Rogers and Eleanor Saitta.

Secure, resilient, peer-to-peer messaging for activists, journalists, and civil society, designed to function without centralized servers or internet infrastructure.

• Briar Android app

  Encrypted peer-to-peer messaging app distributed under GNU GPL-3.0-or-later.

• Briar Desktop

  Desktop version for Windows, macOS, and Linux released under GNU Affero General Public License.

• Bramble protocol suite

  Protocol suite including Handshake, QR Code, Rendezvous, Synchronisation, and Transport protocols, designed for delay-tolerant networks.

• 2026

  Brivas files patent infringement lawsuit against Match Group over FaceTec liveness detection

  Nevada-based Brivas filed a patent infringement claim against Match Group in the Northern District of Texas, alleging the dating app maker used its proprietary biometric liveness detection technology without a license. The claims involve eight U.S. patents related to active liveness detection, and Brivas alleges Match Group's Face Check identity verification system, which applies FaceTec liveness detection across apps including Tinder, OKCupid, BLK and Upward, directly and indirectly violates each patent. Brivas, considered a non-practicing entity, is seeking injunctive relief, damages, attorney's fees and costs. FaceTec is not named as a defendant.

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• Unconfirmed

  Brivas files patent infringement lawsuit against Match Group over FaceTec liveness detection[2]Brivas files patent infringement lawsuit against Match Group over FaceTec liveness detectionbiometricupdate.com

  Reported: 2026-10-13

  Nevada-based Brivas filed a patent infringement claim against Match Group in the Northern District of Texas, alleging the dating app maker used its proprietary biometric liveness detection technology without a license. The claims involve eight U.S. patents related to active liveness detection, and Brivas alleges Match Group's Face Check identity verification system, which applies FaceTec liveness detection across apps including Tinder, OKCupid, BLK and Upward, directly and indirectly violates each patent. Brivas, considered a non-practicing entity, is seeking injunctive relief, damages, attorney's fees and costs. FaceTec is not named as a defendant.

1. 1Briar (software) - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Brivas files patent infringement lawsuit against Match Group over FaceTec liveness detectionbiometricupdate.com