Session (software)

Session
	Screenshot of Session version 1.17.4 on Android (December 2023)
Developer(s)	The Oxen Project
Initial release	February 2020; 4 years ago
Stable release(s)
Android
Android	1.17.5 / January 12, 2024; 8 months ago
iOS	2.4.4 / December 19, 2023; 9 months ago
Repository	github.com/oxen-io/session-android/
Operating system	Android 6 or above; iOS 12 or above; Windows; MacOS; Linux;
Type	Instant messaging
License	BSD-3-Clause; MIT; GPL-3.0
Website	getsession.org

Session is a cross-platform end-to-end encrypted instant messaging application emphasizing user confidentiality and anonymity. Developed by The Oxen Project under the non-profit Oxen Privacy Tech Foundation, it employs a blockchain-based decentralized network for transmission. Users can send one-to-one and group messages, including various media types such as files, voice notes, images, and videos.^[3]

Session provides applications for various platforms, such as macOS, Windows, and Linux, along with mobile clients available on both iOS and Android.

Features

Session does not require a telephone number or email address for account creation. Instead, it utilizes a randomly generated 66-digit alphanumeric number for user identification. Communication between users, including messages, voice clips, photos, and files, is end-to-end encrypted using the Session protocol. Session uses the Loki blockchain network for transmissions. In 2021, an independent review by the third-party Quarkslab verified these claims.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

Development

Session started as a fork of another messenger, Signal, aiming to build upon its foundation. However, concerns about the centralized structure of Signal Protocol and potential metadata collection led the team to deviate and create their own protocol, called "Session Protocol". This approach prioritized increased anonymity and decentralization. During development, the team encountered various challenges, leading to the necessity of abandoning or modifying many features.^[6]^[8]

Limitations

Session lacks support for two-factor authentication, and its underlying protocols are still in a developmental phase. Following the migration from the Signal Protocol to its internally developed protocol, forward secrecy and deniable authentication were not implemented.^[9]

References

^ "Private Messenger APKs for Android". APKMirror. April 8, 2021. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
^ "Private Messenger". Softonic. October 31, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
^ Bhattacharjee, Shomik Sen (October 8, 2021). "Session Is a Blockchain-Based Private Messenger That Uses Decentralised Server Nodes To Ensure Anonymity". Gadgets 360. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
^ Ankush, Das (February 10, 2022). "8 Reasons to Try Session as a Private Messaging App". MakeUseOf. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
^ "New WhatsApp Alternative "Session" Works Without Your Phone Number". Fossbytes. March 9, 2020. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Session Messenger Review – Best Secure Messaging App?". RestorePrivacy. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
^ Oxen Session Audit Technical Report (PDF). Quarkslab SAS. 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
^ Florence, Eric (January 6, 2022). "Session Messenger Review". SecurityTech. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
^ "The Session Protocol: What's changing — and why - Session Private Messenger". Session. December 16, 2020. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.