Questions
Social media where everyone is real.
Here are answers to what people most often ask about Agora. Something missing? Read the privacy policy or look at the source code.
Why do I sign in with my government ID?
It is the simplest way to make sure every account belongs to a real person. Bots and fake accounts cannot get in, and you do not need to create another password.
Will other people see my real name?
No. You choose the name others see. Agora does not receive your real name from your ID provider, only a code confirming you are a verified person.
Can Agora read my messages?
No. Messages are encrypted on your device and go directly to the other person's. If a network blocks direct connections, our relay passes the encrypted data along without being able to read it or storing it.
Do we both need to be online?
Not to write. You can send a message while the other person is offline. Because no server holds it for you, it is delivered the next time their device is online at the same time as yours, or as another device in the conversation that already has it.
What if someone breaks the law?
Every account is tied to a real person. Agora never has your messages, so it cannot hand them over. When an EU authority presents a lawful order, Agora will hand over the code from the ID provider that belongs to the account, which the authority can trace to a person through that provider. Your conversations are stored on your device, so anyone who lawfully gains access to it can read them and see who you have talked to.
What happens if I lose my phone?
There is no cloud backup: your conversations are stored on your devices, not with us. You can use Agora on several devices, and they keep each other up to date. If you lose one, sign in on a new device and your conversations sync back from your other devices, or from the people you have talked to when they come online.
Can I protect my account further?
Yes. Add a security key or your phone's fingerprint sign-in, and signing in will require it as well as your ID. If you lose it, you can replace it with your ID alone, but everyone you talk to is warned that your keys changed and can hold back your conversation history until they have checked it was really you.
What does it cost?
Nothing. Agora has no ads and is not owned by a company. It is an open source project by Effective Activism.