- Bridgefy is launching end-to-end encrypted messaging
- It targets the apps used during protests and disasters
- The company has already raised $800,000 USD
- The startup is now raising a seed round
Bridgefy is a software company based in California, USA. It is dedicated to developing mesh-networking technology for mobile apps. The startup was founded circa 2014 by Jorge Rios. He conceived this idea while participating in a tech competition called StartupBus.
Bridgefy’s smartphone ad hoc network technology, using Bluetooth Mesh, is licensed to other apps. This app gained popularity during protests in different countries. The reason behind this is, that it can be operated without the internet. However, all communications are insecure.
We are saying this because the app does not use cryptography at all. Anyone can trivially intercept, read, and modify any information sent via the app. The app requires people who want to intercept the message to be physically close. This is because the Bluetooth’s range is limited.
However, the startup is now launching end-to-end encrypted messaging.
Offline-messaging app Bridgefy is launching an end-to-end encrypted messaging experience. The go-to app has been one of the most powerful weapons during times of protests. And now, this weapon just got better.
Why Bridgefy?
Recently, activists in Nigeria and Thailand have urged supporters to download this app. Last year, Hong-Kong protesters used this app to face the government’s censorship of phone or data services. In the past 12 months, the startup has reached 2 million downloads.
After the earthquakes of Turkey and Greece, the app is now trending on app stores. The company is now publishing a major new update. The new crucial feature for activists, end-to-end encrypted messages.This will allow people to send and receive messages when they don’t have access to data.
The app will use the same encryption protocol used by Signal, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. Six years back the app came into existence The founders identified the problem of not being able to communicate during the earthquakes in Mexico City.
It started as a mobile app. A few years later an SDK was added so other apps could also work without the internet. The SDK is now licensed to companies on an annual subscription model. This will be based on user volume. The SDK is integrated by more than 40 companies.
Its competitors include Go Tenna and Firechat. However, Bridgefy has become better known in the activist space. The startup is now raising a seed round. It has already raised $800,000 USD. Investors include Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, Alchemist Accelerator, and GAN Ventures.
