What is Session Messenger

Session is a privacy-focused encrypted messaging application that distinguishes itself from conventional secure messengers by requiring no phone number, email address, or any personally identifiable information to register using a randomly generated Session ID (a public key) as the sole identifier. Session is developed by the Oxen Privacy Tech Foundation (OPTF) and is closely related to the Oxen (OXEN) blockchain ecosystem.

HOW SESSION DIFFERS FROM SIGNAL

Signal: Leading end-to-end encrypted messenger. Requires phone number registration linking your real-world identity to your account and exposing it to Signal's servers. Messages routed through Signal's centralised servers.
Session: Zero personal information required just a randomly generated cryptographic identity. Decentralised message routing through Oxen's Service Node network. No central servers that could be subpoenaed or compromised. Onion routing through multiple nodes hides IP addresses.

SESSION'S TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE

Session IDs: Each user's identity is a 66-character public key from an ed25519 key pair. Generated entirely locally never registered with any central authority.
Decentralised Storage Network (DSN): Messages are stored encrypted across Oxen Service Nodes the same infrastructure as the OXEN blockchain. No single server holds all messages; redundancy across multiple nodes ensures delivery even if some nodes go offline.
Onion Routing: Like Tor, Session routes messages through multiple Service Nodes, with each node only knowing the previous and next hop hiding sender IP addresses from all parties including Session itself.
No Metadata: Session collects no metadata about who messages whom, when, or how frequently the metadata that has historically enabled surveillance even when message content is encrypted.

THE OXEN CONNECTIONOXEN (formerly Loki)

is the Monero-based privacy coin whose staking network (Service Nodes) provides the decentralised infrastructure Session routes messages through. Service Node operators stake OXEN to participate and earn rewards for providing network services, including Session message routing and storage.

LIMITATIONS

No voice/video calls (Signal has these). Smaller user base than Signal. Slightly higher message delivery latency due to decentralised routing. Not recommended as a primary messenger replacement for most users, better suited for high-privacy communications.

Terms in addition to the Session Messenger

Blockchain

A blockchain is a subset of a distributed database. The Bitcoin inventors originally prototyped the system in 2008. This modern database is made up of separate blocks that are connected together in a chronological chain. Blockchains may be used to store a wide range of data types. It has mostly been utilized as a public ledger for bitcoin transactions to date. A peer-to-peer network comprised of independent nodes uses a consensus process to ensure the blockchain's security and legitimacy. Each node in the network keeps a public and immutable copy of the data.

2 Factor Authentication (2FA)

2 Factor Authentication is a security measure with two layers. It is used by the majority of cryptocurrency exchanges. To log in, you must provide not only a password, but also a code obtained, for example, from the Google authenticator.

Airdrop

An airdrop is a method of distributing coins. End users can typically obtain coins for free or in exchange for doing a small task, such as subscribing to a newsletter, sending a tweet, or inviting others via a personal affiliate link. Cryptocurrency airdrops — the act of depositing cryptocurrency into public crypto wallets — are utilized as a marketing, liquidity creation, and network bootstrapping technique for many different types of blockchain initiatives.

Altcoin

Altcoin - "alternative coin" - is any kind of digital currency other than Bitcoin. Since the launch of Bitcoin, the world's first digital currency, many altcoins (as well as supporting blockchains) have been created. Altcoin digital currencies share many similarities to Bitcoin, but consistently and have significant differences. There are about 20,000 altcoins, and this number is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Altcoins often develop Bitcoin features. Ethereum, currently the most widely used blockchain, supports digital contracts and separate applications where Bitcoin does not. Altcoins are also often created to cater to the needs of different users. The Litecoin blockchain, for example, can process payments quarterly for the duration of Bitcoin.

Cold Storage

Cold storage is the way to store cryptocurrency offline. The word refers to the use of offline wallets that are not connected to the internet. Cold storage is the most secure way to keep cryptocurrencies since an offline currency becomes less likely to be hacked and stolen. Paper wallets, printed renditions of private keys, and offline hardware and software wallets are all examples of cold storage.