Thoughts on Briar?
from HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml to privacy@lemmy.ml on 04 Aug 2025 00:23
https://lemmy.ml/post/34123510

Is Briar a good option for encrypted messaging and file transfer?

After the Matrix file upload limit thing, I’m looking to move away from the messages stored on a server paradigm both to avoid having to pay for file uploads and because it doesn’t make sense to host files on a server indefinitely if they’re only intended for one other person and don’t need to be kept for very long.

#privacy

threaded - newest

medem@lemmy.wtf on 04 Aug 2025 00:48 next collapse

In Briar, it’s only possible to send images - not any other file, as of this writing.

They have a very clear stance on not rushing releases, and focusing on security and stability rather than features, which is laudable, but on the flip side that means one must probably wait for months, if not years, for new features.

oeuf@slrpnk.net on 04 Aug 2025 01:09 next collapse

Also have a look at Jami. You can use it for calls and sharing files.

sxan@midwest.social on 04 Aug 2025 01:38 collapse

Second this.

  • message delivery can be iffy
  • VoIP works well
  • you connect with people like a normal app that isn’t going to scare your family off, not trying to get them to put in GUIDS
  • it has all the creature comforts, attached/embedded photos, markup, attached files, attach pictures, share your location for 10 minutes (I’m on my way), history editing, deleting
  • it has concurrent multi device support, so you can get messages on your phone, tablet, and desktop at the same time
  • There’s a full desktop client (Electron, i think 🤮 but it works)
  • the dev team is small and they seem to like to work more on features than user issues. development is slow
  • multi-person groups work fine

It’s still the best E2E messaging system I’ve found; the only one my mom, wife, and sisters-in-law reliably use.

I just want them to focus on fixing the sketchy DHT that seems to cause every problem.

MarriedCavelady50@lemmy.ml on 04 Aug 2025 02:23 next collapse

Why not just transfer encrypted files through clearnet?

SinJab0n@mujico.org on 04 Aug 2025 03:51 collapse

Isnt that how u end up in a fbi list?

MarriedCavelady50@lemmy.ml on 04 Aug 2025 12:54 collapse

The fbi list is an excel spreadsheet with the whole population. You’re already on it.

SinJab0n@mujico.org on 10 Aug 01:55 collapse

U know theres a difference between being under a normal room’s lamp, and the concentrated, burning, blind inducing spot light, right?

SolarPunker@slrpnk.net on 04 Aug 2025 03:04 next collapse

Good for certain scenarios but not for the everyday use, I would love to see that adaptability improved for the “chilling common situations” in the future.

SimpleX is my main atm, it can transfer files effectively.

kragil@discuss.tchncs.de on 04 Aug 2025 03:28 next collapse

Just use matrix from somewhere other than matrix.org.

gravitywell@sh.itjust.works on 04 Aug 2025 04:22 next collapse

For file transfers i have been using magic wormhole

I like the idea of briar, but i havent gotten into using it regularly with anyone yet.

[deleted] on 04 Aug 2025 09:13 collapse

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