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Convene
The tool itself: a secure, browser-based chat platform. Open a private room, connect securely, instantly.
Convene
Convene
Sessions 3, 5 & 6 · Demo + Hands-on · ~55 min
Convene is an open-source secure chat tool that runs entirely in your browser — no app needed, just a mobile or desktop browser, on any device. Instantly connect, leave audio messages, share videos, upload files. When you're done, delete the room and leave no trace.
Speak Convene
The tool itself: a secure, browser-based chat platform. Open a private room, connect securely, instantly.
A link or URL where Convene lives. There are over 30 instances — different addresses, same tool.
A real-time, identical copy of an instance — think of a perfect shadow. If your instance is blocked, its mirror keeps working. Over 20 mirrors exist for backup.
Unblockable · Built to bypass censorship
Global usage keeps climbing because blocking Convene means blocking dozens of addresses at once — and each one has a shadow.
From a few hundred visits in 2021 to over 120k in 2025 — and still climbing.
Unique visits · hand-drawn trend · dashed teal segment = 2026 projection
And it's flexible: the same link can be reused to create different rooms, so one trusted address serves many conversations.
Flexible and adaptable
Messages are private and encrypted by default — or you can open a public room where everyone sees everything. Three common use cases, plus a filedrop for sharing:
Public or encrypted — your choice. Text, voice messages, files, and polls for teams and working groups.
Always encrypted. A private channel between two people for the conversations that matter most.
A one-way channel: admins post, members read. Perfect for announcements and alerts without reply noise — or risk.
A drop box for documents, photos, and recordings — collect or distribute files without a running conversation.
Interactive · Practice run
This is a safe simulation of the real workflow you'll practice in the training — choose a room type, set the security, invite people, and destroy it when done.
Workflow tips
Store your Convene room credentials in Bitwarden. You get strong unique secrets without having to memorize — or write down — anything.
On your laptop, use the browser's "Install app" option. Convene opens in its own window like a native app — while still being just a browser page.
Leave voice messages (mp3), share videos (mp4), and upload documents and photos (pdf, png, jpg) — plus polls for quick group decisions.
As an admin you approve joins, remove members, and control who can post. Review the member list regularly in sensitive rooms.
Behind the tool
Convene is open source — developed for human rights activists and journalists who need secure, unblockable communication without installing an app or sharing personal details.