{
  "id": 568520,
  "title": "Briar is in maintenance mode",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/briar-is-in-maintenance-mode",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-11T12:22:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Lobsters",
    "slug": "lobsters",
    "url": "https://briarproject.org/news/2026-maintenance-mode/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Briar, a secure messaging application, has announced it will enter maintenance mode. The project will focus on essential security updates and bugfixes for now, addressing longstanding issues such as high battery usage and unreliable background operation on Android. Past attempts to solve these problems, including rebuilding the application or splitting it into separate applications, have proven unsuccessful due to lack of funding and limited resources. After careful consideration, the decision was made to shut down the project last year, releasing a final update for Android and desktop to ensure continued functionality. Despite the setback, the app has maintained support from users and has attracted new users. This update aims to dispel rumors of the project's shutdown, emphasizing that Briar will continue in maintenance mode, receiving funding from various organizations dedicated to internet freedom and privacy.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}