Session (software)

Session is a cross-platform end-to-end encrypted instant messaging application developed by The Oxen Project under the non-profit Oxen Privacy Tech Foundation (OPTF). It uses decentralized network for transmission. Users can send one-to-one and group messages, which can include files, voice notes, images and videos.[1][2]

Session
Screenshot of Session version 1.11.10 on Android (October 2021)
Developer(s)The Oxen Project
Initial releaseFebruary 2020 (2020-02)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android1.11.10 / September 21, 2021 (2021-09-21)
iOS1.11.17 / October 11, 2021 (2021-10-11)
Dektop1.7.3 / September 22, 2021 (2021-09-22)
Repositorygithub.com/oxen-io/session-android/
Operating system
TypeInstant messaging
License BSD-3-Clause
MIT
GPL-3.0
Websitegetsession.org

Session was forked in 2019 from Signal software.[3] It is open-source and published under the BSD-3-Clause, GPL-3.0 and MIT licenses.[4]

History

Session software development was started in 2019 under the umbrella of OPTF (formerly Loki Foundation), an Australian-based non-profit private technology organization. It was forked from the open-source Signal software. The first general version was released across platforms in February 2020.[5][6]

Features

The Session does not require a telephone number or email address to create an account. It uses a randomly generated 66-digit alpha-numeric number for user creation/identification. Communication (messages, voice clips, photos, and files) between users is end-to-end encrypted using the session protocol, a derivative of the signal protocol. A Tor-like decentralised server network (Oxen Service Nodes) is used by Session for transmissions that do not store, track, or log the metadata of user messages. Device IP addresses are never exposed to other users or to servers holding user data. Support up to 100 people in an end-to-end encrypted group chat. Furthermore, it is completely open-source and security checked by third parties.[7][8][9]

Limitations

Session does not support Two-factor authentication. Underlying protocols are still in a developmental phase. Support for multiple devices is still not entirely flawless. Moreover, no support for voice and video calls.[7][8]

Platforms

Session software is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux platforms. Users can download the App from their respective stores or GitHub. The Android customer requires Android 6 or above to launch the app. iOS consumers need iOS 12 or later to run the app.[10][11][12]

Technical

The Session uses the Oxen service nodes to communicate. These nodes are a group of distributed, decentralised and sybil-resistant nodes that are operated by the community and make the Oxen network. There are currently more than a thousand nodes in the Oxen network. These service nodes are responsible for the storage and routing of your session messages that scramble the IP addresses of users.[13][14]

References
  1. "Session Is An Encrypted Messenger Geared Towards Privacy Enthusiasts". NDTV Gadgets 360. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  2. Das, Ankush. "Session: A Private Messenger That Doesn't Need Phone Number". itsfoss. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  3. "Release 1.0.0-alpha.1 · oxen-io/session-android". GitHub. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  4. "Oxen". GitHub. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  5. "Release 1.0.0 · oxen-io/session-android". GitHub. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  6. "Rebranding Loki Messenger - Loki .network Blog". Loki. December 13, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  7. "Session Messenger Review - Best Secure Messaging App?". RestorePrivacy. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  8. Li₿εʁLiøη (July 13, 2021). "Session Messenger. Review". Medium. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  9. Oxen Session Audit Technical Report (PDF). Quarkslab SAS. 2021.
  10. Session Desktop, Oxen, October 8, 2021, retrieved October 11, 2021
  11. "Session - Private Messenger - Overview - Google Play Store - US". Sensor Tower. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  12. "Session - Private Messenger - Overview - Apple App Store - US". Sensor Tower. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  13. Jefferys, Kee; Shishmarev, Maxim; Harman, Simon (2020). Session: A Model for End-To-End Encrypted Conversations With Minimal Metadata Leakage (PDF). arXiv:2002.04609.
  14. Session iOS, Oxen, October 11, 2021, retrieved October 11, 2021
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.