{
  "slug": "briar",
  "category": "messengers",
  "name": "Briar",
  "description": "Peer-to-peer encrypted messenger for Android and desktop that syncs over Tor, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Messages, forums and blogs are stored only on users' devices.",
  "website": "https://briarproject.org",
  "source": "https://code.briarproject.org/briar/briar",
  "license": null,
  "platforms": [],
  "jurisdiction": null,
  "pick": false,
  "pick_reason": null,
  "disclosure": null,
  "grade": "A",
  "score": 94,
  "coverage": 100,
  "summary": "Briar scores 94 out of 100 (grade A) on the messengers criteria. It meets 7 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, end-to-end encrypted by default, no phone number needed, metadata protection and decentralized. It partly meets independent audit.",
  "url": "https://privacyratings.com/messengers/briar/",
  "markdown": "https://privacyratings.com/messengers/briar/index.md",
  "answers": {
    "open_source": {
      "title": "Open source",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://code.briarproject.org/briar/briar/-/blob/master/LICENSE.txt",
      "note": "GPL-3.0."
    },
    "no_trackers": {
      "title": "No trackers or telemetry",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://briarproject.org/privacy-policy/",
      "note": "The privacy policy states no information is collected about how Briar is used; feedback and crash reports are opt-in."
    },
    "no_ads": {
      "title": "No ads or data sales",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://briarproject.org/about-us/",
      "note": "Funded by grants and donations, with no ads."
    },
    "independent_audit": {
      "title": "Independent audit",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://briarproject.org/raw/BRP-01-report.pdf",
      "note": "A full Cure53 audit report is public but is older than three years."
    },
    "transparency_report": {
      "title": "Transparency report",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "user_notice": {
      "title": "Tells users about requests",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tls": {
      "title": "TLS configuration",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "security_headers": {
      "title": "Security headers",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "web_standards": {
      "title": "Modern web standards",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "e2ee_default": {
      "title": "End-to-end encrypted by default",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://briarproject.org/how-it-works/",
      "note": "All communication between devices is end-to-end encrypted."
    },
    "no_phone_number": {
      "title": "No phone number needed",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://briarproject.org/how-it-works/",
      "note": "Accounts are created on the device with a nickname and password, with no phone number or email."
    },
    "metadata_protection": {
      "title": "Metadata protection",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://briarproject.org/how-it-works/",
      "note": "Messages sync directly over Tor, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and contact lists are stored only on the device."
    },
    "decentralized": {
      "title": "Decentralized",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://briarproject.org/how-it-works/",
      "note": "Peer to peer with no central server."
    }
  },
  "tests": {
    "ssllabs": null,
    "observatory": null,
    "internetnl_web": null,
    "internetnl_mail": null,
    "trackers": [],
    "tested_at": "2026-10-01T07:00:47.560Z"
  },
  "last_modified": "2026-10-01T07:44:20Z"
}