Compare Briar vs. COVID Safe Paths vs. Threema Work

Briar is a secure messaging application tailored for activists, journalists, and anyone seeking a reliable and straightforward method of communication. Unlike conventional messaging platforms, Briar operates without a central server, facilitating direct synchronization of messages between users' devices. In scenarios where internet connectivity is compromised, Briar can connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, ensuring that communication persists even during emergencies. When the internet is available, Briar utilizes the Tor network to safeguard users and their connections from any form of surveillance. This network not only obscures the identities of users but also keeps their interactions private from prying eyes. Moreover, each user’s contact list is encrypted and maintained solely on their device, adding another layer of security. The application ensures that all exchanges between devices are encrypted end-to-end, effectively shielding the content from unauthorized access or interference. In this way, Briar is not just a messaging app, but a vital tool for maintaining privacy in sensitive communications.

COVID Safe Paths, developed by Path Check, serves as the official application for COVID-19 exposure notifications and contact tracing in regions such as Haiti and Puerto Rico. This app allows users to securely log the locations they visit, keeping that information stored privately on their devices. Users can also access updates from local healthcare authorities regarding COVID-19 information specific to their area, when such resources are available. In the near future, the app will enable users to receive notifications from local health departments regarding potential COVID-19 exposures. The initiative represents a worldwide effort to create free, open-source tools that prioritize privacy, aimed at benefiting individuals, public health professionals, and entire communities. The dedicated Safe Paths team is made up of a diverse group of engineers, epidemiologists, advocates for data privacy, academicians, and researchers, all of whom are supported by advisors from prominent organizations like the US Department of Health and Human Services, the World Health Organization, and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. Their goal is to ensure that everyone has access to reliable tools that promote health and safety in the face of the ongoing pandemic.

Threema Work, a secure and GDPR compliant business messenger, facilitates mobile communication within companies and organizations. The messaging app is simple to use and does not require a phone number. Threema Broadcast allows companies to reach all their employees, recipients, and external partners in one click. Administrators can preconfigure the app with Threema MDM and ensure it is used according to corporate policies. Threema Work is a chat service that caters to schools, governments, companies, and organizations that require high-level security in business communication. It is a secure, privacy-compliant, and easy-to-use business messenger that allows for efficient corporate communication.