Session - Private Messenger

Session is a highly secure and private messaging application designed to prioritize user anonymity and data protection. Originally developed in Australia in 2018 by the Oxen Privacy Tech Foundation (OPTF), the project was created as an open-source, decentralized alternative to mainstream messengers. Unlike traditional platforms, Session does not require phone numbers or email addresses for registration, instead using a unique 66-character alphanumeric ID and an onion routing network to minimize metadata footprint.

In late 2024, the development and publication responsibilities of Session were transitioned from the Australian-based OPTF to the Session Technology Foundation, a non-profit organization headquartered in Switzerland. This strategic move was driven by a desire to operate under Switzerland's robust data protection laws and neutral political environment, specifically to distance the project from the restrictive surveillance and anti-encryption legislation prevalent in Australia and other 'Five Eyes' nations. As a decentralized application, its infrastructure is powered by thousands of user-operated nodes globally, ensuring that no single entity has total control over the network's operations.