Use author encoding and parsing helpers everywhere.

2026-02-11 18:29:05 +01:00 · 2018-01-16 17:38:21 +00:00
parent 68634e0f28
commit e474042af7
24 changed files with 190 additions and 290 deletions
--- a/briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/blog/RssFeedAdapter.java
+++ b/briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/blog/RssFeedAdapter.java
@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@ class RssFeedAdapter extends BriarAdapter<Feed, RssFeedAdapter.FeedViewHolder> {
 		ui.delete.setOnClickListener(v -> listener.onDeleteClick(item));

 		// Author
-		if (item.getAuthor() != null) {
-			ui.author.setText(item.getAuthor());
+		if (item.getRssAuthor() != null) {
+			ui.author.setText(item.getRssAuthor());
 			ui.author.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
 			ui.authorLabel.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
 		} else {
--- a/briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/blog/BlogConstants.java
+++ b/briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/blog/BlogConstants.java
@@ -24,10 +24,6 @@ public interface BlogConstants {
 	String KEY_TYPE = "type";
 	String KEY_TIMESTAMP = "timestamp";
 	String KEY_TIME_RECEIVED = "timeReceived";
-	String KEY_AUTHOR_ID = "id";
-	String KEY_FORMAT_VERSION = "formatVersion";
-	String KEY_AUTHOR_NAME = "name";
-	String KEY_PUBLIC_KEY = "publicKey";
 	String KEY_AUTHOR = "author";
 	String KEY_RSS_FEED = "rssFeed";
 	String KEY_READ = "read";
--- a/briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/feed/Feed.java
+++ b/briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/feed/Feed.java
@@ -16,26 +16,26 @@ public class Feed {
 	private final Blog blog;
 	private final LocalAuthor localAuthor;
 	@Nullable
-	private final String description, author;
+	private final String description, rssAuthor;
 	private final long added, updated, lastEntryTime;

 	public Feed(String url, Blog blog, LocalAuthor localAuthor,
-			@Nullable String description, @Nullable String author, long added,
-			long updated, long lastEntryTime) {
-
+			@Nullable String description, @Nullable String rssAuthor,
+			long added, long updated, long lastEntryTime) {
 		this.url = url;
 		this.blog = blog;
 		this.localAuthor = localAuthor;
 		this.description = description;
-		this.author = author;
+		this.rssAuthor = rssAuthor;
 		this.added = added;
 		this.updated = updated;
 		this.lastEntryTime = lastEntryTime;
 	}

 	public Feed(String url, Blog blog, LocalAuthor localAuthor,
-			@Nullable String description, @Nullable String author, long added) {
-		this(url, blog, localAuthor, description, author, added, 0L, 0L);
+			@Nullable String description, @Nullable String rssAuthor,
+			long added) {
+		this(url, blog, localAuthor, description, rssAuthor, added, 0L, 0L);
 	}

 	public Feed(String url, Blog blog, LocalAuthor localAuthor, long added) {
@@ -68,8 +68,8 @@ public class Feed {
 	}

 	@Nullable
-	public String getAuthor() {
-		return author;
+	public String getRssAuthor() {
+		return rssAuthor;
 	}

 	public long getAdded() {
--- a/briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/feed/FeedConstants.java
+++ b/briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/feed/FeedConstants.java
@@ -18,12 +18,10 @@ public interface FeedConstants {
 	// group metadata keys
 	String KEY_FEEDS = "feeds";
 	String KEY_FEED_URL = "feedURL";
-	String KEY_FORMAT_VERSION = "formatVersion";
-	String KEY_BLOG_TITLE = "blogTitle";
-	String KEY_PUBLIC_KEY = "publicKey";
-	String KEY_PRIVATE_KEY = "privateKey";
-	String KEY_FEED_DESC = "feedDesc";
 	String KEY_FEED_AUTHOR = "feedAuthor";
+	String KEY_FEED_PRIVATE_KEY = "feedPrivateKey";
+	String KEY_FEED_DESC = "feedDesc";
+	String KEY_FEED_RSS_AUTHOR = "feedRssAuthor";
 	String KEY_FEED_ADDED = "feedAdded";
 	String KEY_FEED_UPDATED = "feedUpdated";
 	String KEY_FEED_LAST_ENTRY = "feedLastEntryTime";
--- a/briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/forum/ForumConstants.java
+++ b/briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/forum/ForumConstants.java
@@ -23,10 +23,6 @@ public interface ForumConstants {
 	String KEY_TIMESTAMP = "timestamp";
 	String KEY_PARENT = "parent";
 	String KEY_AUTHOR = "author";
-	String KEY_ID = "id";
-	String KEY_FORMAT_VERSION = "formatVersion";
-	String KEY_NAME = "name";
-	String KEY_PUBLIC_KEY = "publicKey";
 	String KEY_LOCAL = "local";
 	String KEY_READ = "read";

--- a/briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/privategroup/PrivateGroupFactory.java
+++ b/briar-api/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/api/privategroup/PrivateGroupFactory.java
@@ -11,12 +11,12 @@ public interface PrivateGroupFactory {
 	/**
 	 * Creates a private group with the given name and author.
 	 */
-	PrivateGroup createPrivateGroup(String name, Author author);
+	PrivateGroup createPrivateGroup(String name, Author creator);

 	/**
 	 * Creates a private group with the given name, author and salt.
 	 */
-	PrivateGroup createPrivateGroup(String name, Author author, byte[] salt);
+	PrivateGroup createPrivateGroup(String name, Author creator, byte[] salt);

 	/**
 	 * Parses a group and returns the corresponding PrivateGroup.
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogFactoryImpl.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogFactoryImpl.java
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import org.briarproject.bramble.api.FormatException;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.client.ClientHelper;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.BdfList;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author;
-import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorFactory;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.nullsafety.NotNullByDefault;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.sync.Group;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.sync.GroupFactory;
@@ -23,15 +22,12 @@ import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogManager.CLIENT_VERSION;
 class BlogFactoryImpl implements BlogFactory {

 	private final GroupFactory groupFactory;
-	private final AuthorFactory authorFactory;
 	private final ClientHelper clientHelper;

 	@Inject
-	BlogFactoryImpl(GroupFactory groupFactory, AuthorFactory authorFactory,
-			ClientHelper clientHelper) {
+	BlogFactoryImpl(GroupFactory groupFactory, ClientHelper clientHelper) {

 		this.groupFactory = groupFactory;
-		this.authorFactory = authorFactory;
 		this.clientHelper = clientHelper;
 	}

@@ -47,12 +43,7 @@ class BlogFactoryImpl implements BlogFactory {

 	private Blog createBlog(Author a, boolean rssFeed) {
 		try {
-			BdfList authorList = BdfList.of(
-					a.getFormatVersion(),
-					a.getName(),
-					a.getPublicKey()
-			);
-			BdfList blog = BdfList.of(authorList, rssFeed);
+			BdfList blog = BdfList.of(clientHelper.toList(a), rssFeed);
 			byte[] descriptor = clientHelper.toByteArray(blog);
 			Group g = groupFactory.createGroup(CLIENT_ID, CLIENT_VERSION,
 					descriptor);
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogManagerImpl.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogManagerImpl.java
@@ -49,16 +49,11 @@ import javax.annotation.Nullable;
 import javax.inject.Inject;

 import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.ContactManager.RemoveContactHook;
-import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author.FORMAT_VERSION;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR_NAME;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_COMMENT;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_FORMAT_VERSION;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_ORIGINAL_PARENT_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_PUBLIC_KEY;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_READ;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_RSS_FEED;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_TIMESTAMP;
@@ -68,7 +63,6 @@ import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.MessageType.COMMENT;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.MessageType.POST;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.MessageType.WRAPPED_COMMENT;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.MessageType.WRAPPED_POST;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.blog.BlogPostValidator.authorToBdfDictionary;

@NotNullByDefault
 class BlogManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook implements BlogManager,
@@ -229,7 +223,7 @@ class BlogManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook implements BlogManager,
 			BdfDictionary meta = new BdfDictionary();
 			meta.put(KEY_TYPE, POST.getInt());
 			meta.put(KEY_TIMESTAMP, p.getMessage().getTimestamp());
-			meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, authorToBdfDictionary(p.getAuthor()));
+			meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, clientHelper.toList(p.getAuthor()));
 			meta.put(KEY_READ, true);
 			meta.put(KEY_RSS_FEED, b.isRssFeed());
 			clientHelper.addLocalMessage(txn, p.getMessage(), meta, true);
@@ -272,7 +266,7 @@ class BlogManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook implements BlogManager,
 			meta.put(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, message.getId());
 			meta.put(KEY_ORIGINAL_PARENT_MSG_ID, parentOriginalId);
 			meta.put(KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID, parentCurrentId);
-			meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, authorToBdfDictionary(author));
+			meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, clientHelper.toList(author));

 			// Send comment
 			clientHelper.addLocalMessage(txn, message, meta, true);
@@ -369,7 +363,7 @@ class BlogManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook implements BlogManager,
 					"Unknown Message Type: " + type);
 		}
 		meta.put(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, originalId);
-		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, authorToBdfDictionary(header.getAuthor()));
+		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, clientHelper.toList(header.getAuthor()));
 		meta.put(KEY_TIMESTAMP, header.getTimestamp());
 		meta.put(KEY_TIME_RECEIVED, header.getTimeReceived());

@@ -508,9 +502,9 @@ class BlogManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook implements BlogManager,
 			// get all authors we need to get the status for
 			Set<AuthorId> authors = new HashSet<>();
 			for (Entry<MessageId, BdfDictionary> entry : metadata.entrySet()) {
-				authors.add(new AuthorId(
-						entry.getValue().getDictionary(KEY_AUTHOR)
-								.getRaw(KEY_AUTHOR_ID)));
+				BdfList authorList = entry.getValue().getList(KEY_AUTHOR);
+				Author a = clientHelper.parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList);
+				authors.add(a.getId());
 			}
 			// get statuses for all authors
 			Map<AuthorId, Status> authorStatuses = new HashMap<>();
@@ -575,21 +569,16 @@ class BlogManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook implements BlogManager,
 		long timestamp = meta.getLong(KEY_TIMESTAMP);
 		long timeReceived = meta.getLong(KEY_TIME_RECEIVED, timestamp);

-		BdfDictionary authorDict = meta.getDictionary(KEY_AUTHOR);
-		AuthorId authorId = new AuthorId(authorDict.getRaw(KEY_AUTHOR_ID));
-		int formatVersion = authorDict.getLong(KEY_FORMAT_VERSION).intValue();
-		if (formatVersion != FORMAT_VERSION) throw new FormatException();
-		String name = authorDict.getString(KEY_AUTHOR_NAME);
-		byte[] publicKey = authorDict.getRaw(KEY_PUBLIC_KEY);
-		Author author = new Author(authorId, formatVersion, name, publicKey);
+		BdfList authorList = meta.getList(KEY_AUTHOR);
+		Author author = clientHelper.parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList);
 		boolean isFeedPost = meta.getBoolean(KEY_RSS_FEED, false);
 		Status authorStatus;
 		if (isFeedPost) {
 			authorStatus = Status.NONE;
-		} else if (authorStatuses.containsKey(authorId)) {
-			authorStatus = authorStatuses.get(authorId);
+		} else if (authorStatuses.containsKey(author.getId())) {
+			authorStatus = authorStatuses.get(author.getId());
 		} else {
-			authorStatus = identityManager.getAuthorStatus(txn, authorId);
+			authorStatus = identityManager.getAuthorStatus(txn, author.getId());
 		}

 		boolean read = meta.getBoolean(KEY_READ, false);
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogModule.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogModule.java
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package org.briarproject.briar.blog;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.client.ClientHelper;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.contact.ContactManager;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.MetadataEncoder;
-import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorFactory;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.lifecycle.LifecycleManager;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.sync.GroupFactory;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.sync.MessageFactory;
@@ -44,15 +43,14 @@ public class BlogModule {
 	}

 	@Provides
-	BlogPostFactory provideBlogPostFactory(ClientHelper clientHelper,
-			Clock clock) {
-		return new BlogPostFactoryImpl(clientHelper, clock);
+	BlogPostFactory provideBlogPostFactory(
+			BlogPostFactoryImpl blogPostFactory) {
+		return blogPostFactory;
 	}

 	@Provides
-	BlogFactory provideBlogFactory(GroupFactory groupFactory,
-			AuthorFactory authorFactory, ClientHelper clientHelper) {
-		return new BlogFactoryImpl(groupFactory, authorFactory, clientHelper);
+	BlogFactory provideBlogFactory(BlogFactoryImpl blogFactory) {
+		return blogFactory;
 	}

 	@Provides
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogPostValidator.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogPostValidator.java
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import org.briarproject.bramble.api.client.BdfMessageContext;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.client.BdfMessageValidator;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.client.ClientHelper;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.BdfDictionary;
-import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.BdfEntry;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.BdfList;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.MetadataEncoder;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author;
@@ -31,14 +30,10 @@ import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorConstants.MAX_SIGNATUR
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.util.ValidationUtils.checkLength;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.util.ValidationUtils.checkSize;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR_NAME;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_COMMENT;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_FORMAT_VERSION;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_ORIGINAL_PARENT_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_PUBLIC_KEY;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_READ;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_RSS_FEED;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_TIMESTAMP;
@@ -125,7 +120,7 @@ class BlogPostValidator extends BdfMessageValidator {
 		// Return the metadata and dependencies
 		BdfDictionary meta = new BdfDictionary();
 		meta.put(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, m.getId());
-		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, authorToBdfDictionary(a));
+		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, clientHelper.toList(a));
 		meta.put(KEY_RSS_FEED, b.isRssFeed());
 		return new BdfMessageContext(meta);
 	}
@@ -174,7 +169,7 @@ class BlogPostValidator extends BdfMessageValidator {
 		meta.put(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, m.getId());
 		meta.put(KEY_ORIGINAL_PARENT_MSG_ID, pOriginalId);
 		meta.put(KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID, currentId);
-		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, authorToBdfDictionary(a));
+		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, clientHelper.toList(a));
 		Collection<MessageId> dependencies = Collections.singleton(currentId);
 		return new BdfMessageContext(meta, dependencies);
 	}
@@ -214,7 +209,7 @@ class BlogPostValidator extends BdfMessageValidator {
 		BdfDictionary meta = new BdfDictionary();
 		meta.put(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, wMessage.getId());
 		meta.put(KEY_TIMESTAMP, wTimestamp);
-		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, c.getDictionary().getDictionary(KEY_AUTHOR));
+		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, c.getDictionary().getList(KEY_AUTHOR));
 		meta.put(KEY_RSS_FEED, wBlog.isRssFeed());
 		return new BdfMessageContext(meta);
 	}
@@ -281,19 +276,10 @@ class BlogPostValidator extends BdfMessageValidator {
 		meta.put(KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID, parentId);
 		meta.put(KEY_TIMESTAMP, wTimestamp);
 		if (comment != null) meta.put(KEY_COMMENT, comment);
-		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, c.getDictionary().getDictionary(KEY_AUTHOR));
+		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, c.getDictionary().getList(KEY_AUTHOR));
 		return new BdfMessageContext(meta, dependencies);
 	}

-	static BdfDictionary authorToBdfDictionary(Author a) {
-		return BdfDictionary.of(
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR_ID, a.getId()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_FORMAT_VERSION, a.getFormatVersion()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR_NAME, a.getName()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_PUBLIC_KEY, a.getPublicKey())
-		);
-	}
-
 	private void addMessageMetadata(BdfMessageContext c, long time) {
 		c.getDictionary().put(KEY_TIMESTAMP, time);
 		c.getDictionary().put(KEY_TIME_RECEIVED, clock.currentTimeMillis());
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/feed/FeedFactoryImpl.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/feed/FeedFactoryImpl.java
@@ -3,10 +3,13 @@ package org.briarproject.briar.feed;
 import com.rometools.rome.feed.synd.SyndFeed;

 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.FormatException;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.client.ClientHelper;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.crypto.CryptoComponent;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.crypto.KeyPair;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.BdfDictionary;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.BdfEntry;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.BdfList;
+import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorFactory;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.LocalAuthor;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.system.Clock;
@@ -18,30 +21,31 @@ import org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.Feed;
 import javax.inject.Inject;

 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.MAX_BLOG_NAME_LENGTH;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_BLOG_TITLE;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_FEED_ADDED;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_FEED_AUTHOR;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_FEED_DESC;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_FEED_LAST_ENTRY;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_FEED_PRIVATE_KEY;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_FEED_RSS_AUTHOR;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_FEED_UPDATED;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_FEED_URL;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_FORMAT_VERSION;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_PRIVATE_KEY;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.feed.FeedConstants.KEY_PUBLIC_KEY;

 class FeedFactoryImpl implements FeedFactory {

 	private final CryptoComponent cryptoComponent;
 	private final AuthorFactory authorFactory;
 	private final BlogFactory blogFactory;
+	private final ClientHelper clientHelper;
 	private final Clock clock;

 	@Inject
 	FeedFactoryImpl(CryptoComponent cryptoComponent,
-			AuthorFactory authorFactory, BlogFactory blogFactory, Clock clock) {
+			AuthorFactory authorFactory, BlogFactory blogFactory,
+			ClientHelper clientHelper, Clock clock) {
 		this.cryptoComponent = cryptoComponent;
 		this.authorFactory = authorFactory;
 		this.blogFactory = blogFactory;
+		this.clientHelper = clientHelper;
 		this.clock = clock;
 	}

@@ -73,41 +77,40 @@ class FeedFactoryImpl implements FeedFactory {
 	public Feed createFeed(BdfDictionary d) throws FormatException {
 		String url = d.getString(KEY_FEED_URL);

-		int formatVersion = d.getLong(KEY_FORMAT_VERSION).intValue();
-		String blogTitle = d.getString(KEY_BLOG_TITLE);
-		byte[] publicKey = d.getRaw(KEY_PUBLIC_KEY);
-		byte[] privateKey = d.getRaw(KEY_PRIVATE_KEY);
+		BdfList authorList = d.getList(KEY_FEED_AUTHOR);
+		byte[] privateKey = d.getRaw(KEY_FEED_PRIVATE_KEY);
+		Author author = clientHelper.parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList);
 		LocalAuthor localAuthor = authorFactory.createLocalAuthor(
-				formatVersion, blogTitle, publicKey, privateKey);
+				author.getFormatVersion(), author.getName(),
+				author.getPublicKey(), privateKey);
 		Blog blog = blogFactory.createFeedBlog(localAuthor);

 		String desc = d.getOptionalString(KEY_FEED_DESC);
-		String author = d.getOptionalString(KEY_FEED_AUTHOR);
+		String rssAuthor = d.getOptionalString(KEY_FEED_RSS_AUTHOR);
 		long added = d.getLong(KEY_FEED_ADDED, 0L);
 		long updated = d.getLong(KEY_FEED_UPDATED, 0L);
 		long lastEntryTime = d.getLong(KEY_FEED_LAST_ENTRY, 0L);

-		return new Feed(url, blog, localAuthor, desc, author, added,
+		return new Feed(url, blog, localAuthor, desc, rssAuthor, added,
 				updated, lastEntryTime);
 	}

 	@Override
 	public BdfDictionary feedToBdfDictionary(Feed feed) {
 		LocalAuthor localAuthor = feed.getLocalAuthor();
+		BdfList authorList = clientHelper.toList(localAuthor);
 		BdfDictionary d = BdfDictionary.of(
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_FEED_URL, feed.getUrl()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_FORMAT_VERSION,
-						localAuthor.getFormatVersion()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_BLOG_TITLE, localAuthor.getName()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_PUBLIC_KEY, localAuthor.getPublicKey()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_PRIVATE_KEY, localAuthor.getPrivateKey()),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_FEED_AUTHOR, authorList),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_FEED_PRIVATE_KEY, localAuthor.getPrivateKey()),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_FEED_ADDED, feed.getAdded()),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_FEED_UPDATED, feed.getUpdated()),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_FEED_LAST_ENTRY, feed.getLastEntryTime())
 		);
 		if (feed.getDescription() != null)
 			d.put(KEY_FEED_DESC, feed.getDescription());
-		if (feed.getAuthor() != null) d.put(KEY_FEED_AUTHOR, feed.getAuthor());
+		if (feed.getRssAuthor() != null)
+			d.put(KEY_FEED_RSS_AUTHOR, feed.getRssAuthor());
 		return d;
 	}

--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/forum/ForumManagerImpl.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/forum/ForumManagerImpl.java
@@ -45,15 +45,10 @@ import javax.annotation.Nullable;
 import javax.annotation.concurrent.ThreadSafe;
 import javax.inject.Inject;

-import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author.FORMAT_VERSION;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author.Status.OURSELVES;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_AUTHOR;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_FORMAT_VERSION;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_LOCAL;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_NAME;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_PARENT;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_PUBLIC_KEY;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_TIMESTAMP;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.client.MessageTrackerConstants.MSG_KEY_READ;

@@ -149,12 +144,7 @@ class ForumManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook implements ForumManager {
 			meta.put(KEY_TIMESTAMP, p.getMessage().getTimestamp());
 			if (p.getParent() != null) meta.put(KEY_PARENT, p.getParent());
 			Author a = p.getAuthor();
-			BdfDictionary authorMeta = new BdfDictionary();
-			authorMeta.put(KEY_ID, a.getId());
-			authorMeta.put(KEY_FORMAT_VERSION, a.getFormatVersion());
-			authorMeta.put(KEY_NAME, a.getName());
-			authorMeta.put(KEY_PUBLIC_KEY, a.getPublicKey());
-			meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, authorMeta);
+			meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, clientHelper.toList(a));
 			meta.put(KEY_LOCAL, true);
 			meta.put(MSG_KEY_READ, true);
 			clientHelper.addLocalMessage(txn, p.getMessage(), meta, true);
@@ -240,10 +230,9 @@ class ForumManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook implements ForumManager {
 			// get all authors we need to get the status for
 			Set<AuthorId> authors = new HashSet<>();
 			for (Entry<MessageId, BdfDictionary> entry : metadata.entrySet()) {
-				BdfDictionary d =
-						entry.getValue().getDictionary(KEY_AUTHOR, null);
-				if (d != null)
-					authors.add(new AuthorId(d.getRaw(KEY_ID)));
+				BdfList authorList = entry.getValue().getList(KEY_AUTHOR);
+				Author a = clientHelper.parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList);
+				authors.add(a.getId());
 			}
 			// get statuses for all authors
 			Map<AuthorId, Status> statuses = new HashMap<>();
@@ -301,14 +290,9 @@ class ForumManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook implements ForumManager {
 		MessageId parentId = null;
 		if (meta.containsKey(KEY_PARENT))
 			parentId = new MessageId(meta.getRaw(KEY_PARENT));
-		BdfDictionary authorDict = meta.getDictionary(KEY_AUTHOR);
-		AuthorId authorId = new AuthorId(authorDict.getRaw(KEY_ID));
-		int formatVersion = authorDict.getLong(KEY_FORMAT_VERSION).intValue();
-		if (formatVersion != FORMAT_VERSION) throw new FormatException();
-		String name = authorDict.getString(KEY_NAME);
-		byte[] publicKey = authorDict.getRaw(KEY_PUBLIC_KEY);
-		Author author = new Author(authorId, formatVersion, name, publicKey);
-		Status status = statuses.get(authorId);
+		BdfList authorList = meta.getList(KEY_AUTHOR);
+		Author author = clientHelper.parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList);
+		Status status = statuses.get(author.getId());
 		if (status == null)
 			status = identityManager.getAuthorStatus(txn, author.getId());
 		boolean read = meta.getBoolean(MSG_KEY_READ);
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/forum/ForumPostFactoryImpl.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/forum/ForumPostFactoryImpl.java
@@ -39,11 +39,7 @@ class ForumPostFactoryImpl implements ForumPostFactory {
 		if (StringUtils.utf8IsTooLong(body, MAX_FORUM_POST_BODY_LENGTH))
 			throw new IllegalArgumentException();
 		// Serialise the data to be signed
-		BdfList authorList = BdfList.of(
-				author.getFormatVersion(),
-				author.getName(),
-				author.getPublicKey()
-		);
+		BdfList authorList = clientHelper.toList(author);
 		BdfList signed = BdfList.of(groupId, timestamp, parent, authorList,
 				body);
 		// Sign the data
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/forum/ForumPostValidator.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/forum/ForumPostValidator.java
@@ -26,11 +26,7 @@ import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.AuthorConstants.MAX_SIGNATUR
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.util.ValidationUtils.checkLength;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.util.ValidationUtils.checkSize;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_AUTHOR;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_FORMAT_VERSION;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_NAME;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_PARENT;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_PUBLIC_KEY;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_READ;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_TIMESTAMP;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.MAX_FORUM_POST_BODY_LENGTH;
@@ -84,12 +80,7 @@ class ForumPostValidator extends BdfMessageValidator {
 			meta.put(KEY_PARENT, parent);
 			dependencies = Collections.singletonList(new MessageId(parent));
 		}
-		BdfDictionary authorMeta = new BdfDictionary();
-		authorMeta.put(KEY_ID, author.getId());
-		authorMeta.put(KEY_FORMAT_VERSION, author.getFormatVersion());
-		authorMeta.put(KEY_NAME, author.getName());
-		authorMeta.put(KEY_PUBLIC_KEY, author.getPublicKey());
-		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, authorMeta);
+		meta.put(KEY_AUTHOR, authorList);
 		meta.put(KEY_READ, false);
 		return new BdfMessageContext(meta, dependencies);
 	}
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/GroupConstants.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/GroupConstants.java
@@ -10,10 +10,7 @@ interface GroupConstants {
 	String KEY_READ = MSG_KEY_READ;
 	String KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID = "parentMsgId";
 	String KEY_PREVIOUS_MSG_ID = "previousMsgId";
-	String KEY_MEMBER_ID = "memberId";
-	String KEY_MEMBER_FORMAT_VERSION = "formatVersion";
-	String KEY_MEMBER_NAME = "memberName";
-	String KEY_MEMBER_PUBLIC_KEY = "memberPublicKey";
+	String KEY_MEMBER = "member";
 	String KEY_INITIAL_JOIN_MSG = "initialJoinMsg";

 	String GROUP_KEY_MEMBERS = "members";
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/GroupMessageFactoryImpl.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/GroupMessageFactoryImpl.java
@@ -50,11 +50,7 @@ class GroupMessageFactoryImpl implements GroupMessageFactory {
 			LocalAuthor member, @Nullable BdfList invite) {
 		try {
 			// Generate the signature
-			BdfList memberList = BdfList.of(
-					member.getFormatVersion(),
-					member.getName(),
-					member.getPublicKey()
-			);
+			BdfList memberList = clientHelper.toList(member);
 			BdfList toSign = BdfList.of(
 					groupId,
 					timestamp,
@@ -86,11 +82,7 @@ class GroupMessageFactoryImpl implements GroupMessageFactory {
 			MessageId previousMsgId) {
 		try {
 			// Generate the signature
-			BdfList memberList = BdfList.of(
-					member.getFormatVersion(),
-					member.getName(),
-					member.getPublicKey()
-			);
+			BdfList memberList = clientHelper.toList(member);
 			BdfList toSign = BdfList.of(
 					groupId,
 					timestamp,
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/GroupMessageValidator.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/GroupMessageValidator.java
@@ -34,10 +34,7 @@ import static org.briarproject.briar.api.privategroup.MessageType.POST;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.privategroup.PrivateGroupConstants.MAX_GROUP_POST_BODY_LENGTH;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.privategroup.invitation.GroupInvitationFactory.SIGNING_LABEL_INVITE;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_INITIAL_JOIN_MSG;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_FORMAT_VERSION;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_NAME;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_PUBLIC_KEY;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_PREVIOUS_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_READ;
@@ -75,10 +72,10 @@ class GroupMessageValidator extends BdfMessageValidator {
 		BdfMessageContext c;
 		if (type == JOIN.getInt()) {
 			c = validateJoin(m, g, body, member);
-			addMessageMetadata(c, member, m.getTimestamp());
+			addMessageMetadata(c, memberList, m.getTimestamp());
 		} else if (type == POST.getInt()) {
 			c = validatePost(m, g, body, member);
-			addMessageMetadata(c, member, m.getTimestamp());
+			addMessageMetadata(c, memberList, m.getTimestamp());
 		} else {
 			throw new InvalidMessageException("Unknown Message Type");
 		}
@@ -187,15 +184,11 @@ class GroupMessageValidator extends BdfMessageValidator {
 		return new BdfMessageContext(meta, dependencies);
 	}

-	private void addMessageMetadata(BdfMessageContext c, Author member,
+	private void addMessageMetadata(BdfMessageContext c, BdfList member,
 			long timestamp) {
+		c.getDictionary().put(KEY_MEMBER, member);
 		c.getDictionary().put(KEY_TIMESTAMP, timestamp);
 		c.getDictionary().put(KEY_READ, false);
-		c.getDictionary().put(KEY_MEMBER_ID, member.getId());
-		c.getDictionary().put(KEY_MEMBER_FORMAT_VERSION,
-				member.getFormatVersion());
-		c.getDictionary().put(KEY_MEMBER_NAME, member.getName());
-		c.getDictionary().put(KEY_MEMBER_PUBLIC_KEY, member.getPublicKey());
 	}

 }
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/PrivateGroupFactoryImpl.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/PrivateGroupFactoryImpl.java
@@ -41,29 +41,25 @@ class PrivateGroupFactoryImpl implements PrivateGroupFactory {
 	}

 	@Override
-	public PrivateGroup createPrivateGroup(String name, Author author) {
+	public PrivateGroup createPrivateGroup(String name, Author creator) {
 		int length = StringUtils.toUtf8(name).length;
 		if (length == 0 || length > MAX_GROUP_NAME_LENGTH)
 			throw new IllegalArgumentException();
 		byte[] salt = new byte[GROUP_SALT_LENGTH];
 		random.nextBytes(salt);
-		return createPrivateGroup(name, author, salt);
+		return createPrivateGroup(name, creator, salt);
 	}

 	@Override
-	public PrivateGroup createPrivateGroup(String name, Author author,
+	public PrivateGroup createPrivateGroup(String name, Author creator,
 			byte[] salt) {
 		try {
-			BdfList creatorList = BdfList.of(
-					author.getFormatVersion(),
-					author.getName(),
-					author.getPublicKey()
-			);
+			BdfList creatorList = clientHelper.toList(creator);
 			BdfList group = BdfList.of(creatorList, name, salt);
 			byte[] descriptor = clientHelper.toByteArray(group);
 			Group g = groupFactory.createGroup(CLIENT_ID, CLIENT_VERSION,
 					descriptor);
-			return new PrivateGroup(g, name, author, salt);
+			return new PrivateGroup(g, name, creator, salt);
 		} catch (FormatException e) {
 			throw new RuntimeException(e);
 		}
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/PrivateGroupManagerImpl.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/PrivateGroupManagerImpl.java
@@ -40,7 +40,6 @@ import org.briarproject.briar.api.privategroup.event.GroupMessageAddedEvent;
 import org.briarproject.briar.client.BdfIncomingMessageHook;

 import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.Collection;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashMap;
@@ -54,7 +53,6 @@ import java.util.concurrent.CopyOnWriteArrayList;
 import javax.annotation.concurrent.ThreadSafe;
 import javax.inject.Inject;

-import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author.FORMAT_VERSION;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author.Status.OURSELVES;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author.Status.UNVERIFIED;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author.Status.VERIFIED;
@@ -70,10 +68,7 @@ import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.GROUP_KEY_MEMBE
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.GROUP_KEY_OUR_GROUP;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.GROUP_KEY_VISIBILITY;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_INITIAL_JOIN_MSG;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_FORMAT_VERSION;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_NAME;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_PUBLIC_KEY;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_PREVIOUS_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_READ;
@@ -242,12 +237,9 @@ class PrivateGroupManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook
 	}

 	private void addMessageMetadata(BdfDictionary meta, GroupMessage m) {
+		meta.put(KEY_MEMBER, clientHelper.toList(m.getMember()));
 		meta.put(KEY_TIMESTAMP, m.getMessage().getTimestamp());
 		meta.put(KEY_READ, true);
-		meta.put(KEY_MEMBER_ID, m.getMember().getId());
-		meta.put(KEY_MEMBER_FORMAT_VERSION, m.getMember().getFormatVersion());
-		meta.put(KEY_MEMBER_NAME, m.getMember().getName());
-		meta.put(KEY_MEMBER_PUBLIC_KEY, m.getMember().getPublicKey());
 	}

 	@Override
@@ -334,8 +326,7 @@ class PrivateGroupManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook
 			// get all authors we need to get the status for
 			Set<AuthorId> authors = new HashSet<>();
 			for (BdfDictionary meta : metadata.values()) {
-				byte[] idBytes = meta.getRaw(KEY_MEMBER_ID);
-				authors.add(new AuthorId(idBytes));
+				authors.add(getAuthor(meta).getId());
 			}
 			// get statuses for all authors
 			Map<AuthorId, Status> statuses = new HashMap<>();
@@ -350,13 +341,11 @@ class PrivateGroupManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook
 				if (meta.getLong(KEY_TYPE) == JOIN.getInt()) {
 					Author member = getAuthor(meta);
 					Visibility v = visibilities.get(member);
-					headers.add(
-							getJoinMessageHeader(txn, g, entry.getKey(), meta,
-									statuses, v));
+					headers.add(getJoinMessageHeader(txn, g, entry.getKey(),
+							meta, statuses, v));
 				} else {
-					headers.add(
-							getGroupMessageHeader(txn, g, entry.getKey(), meta,
-									statuses));
+					headers.add(getGroupMessageHeader(txn, g, entry.getKey(),
+							meta, statuses));
 				}
 			}
 			db.commitTransaction(txn);
@@ -378,16 +367,16 @@ class PrivateGroupManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook
 		}
 		long timestamp = meta.getLong(KEY_TIMESTAMP);

-		Author author = getAuthor(meta);
+		Author member = getAuthor(meta);
 		Status status;
-		if (statuses.containsKey(author.getId())) {
-			status = statuses.get(author.getId());
+		if (statuses.containsKey(member.getId())) {
+			status = statuses.get(member.getId());
 		} else {
-			status = identityManager.getAuthorStatus(txn, author.getId());
+			status = identityManager.getAuthorStatus(txn, member.getId());
 		}
 		boolean read = meta.getBoolean(KEY_READ);

-		return new GroupMessageHeader(g, id, parentId, timestamp, author,
+		return new GroupMessageHeader(g, id, parentId, timestamp, member,
 				status, read);
 	}

@@ -477,8 +466,7 @@ class PrivateGroupManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook
 		boolean foundMember = false, changed = false;
 		for (int i = 0; i < members.size(); i++) {
 			BdfDictionary d = members.getDictionary(i);
-			AuthorId memberId = new AuthorId(d.getRaw(KEY_MEMBER_ID));
-			if (a.equals(memberId)) {
+			if (a.equals(getAuthor(d).getId())) {
 				foundMember = true;
 				// Don't update the visibility if the contact is already visible
 				if (getVisibility(d) == INVISIBLE) {
@@ -567,8 +555,7 @@ class PrivateGroupManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook
 		if (timestamp <= previousMeta.getLong(KEY_TIMESTAMP))
 			throw new FormatException();
 		// previous message must be from same member
-		if (!Arrays.equals(meta.getRaw(KEY_MEMBER_ID),
-				previousMeta.getRaw(KEY_MEMBER_ID)))
+		if (!getAuthor(meta).equals(getAuthor(previousMeta)))
 			throw new FormatException();
 		// previous message must be a POST or JOIN
 		MessageType previousType = MessageType
@@ -605,10 +592,7 @@ class PrivateGroupManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook
 		BdfDictionary meta = clientHelper.getGroupMetadataAsDictionary(txn, g);
 		BdfList members = meta.getList(GROUP_KEY_MEMBERS);
 		members.add(BdfDictionary.of(
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_MEMBER_ID, a.getId()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_MEMBER_FORMAT_VERSION, a.getFormatVersion()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_MEMBER_NAME, a.getName()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_MEMBER_PUBLIC_KEY, a.getPublicKey()),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_MEMBER, clientHelper.toList(a)),
 				new BdfEntry(GROUP_KEY_VISIBILITY, v.getInt())
 		));
 		clientHelper.mergeGroupMetadata(txn, g, meta);
@@ -618,12 +602,7 @@ class PrivateGroupManagerImpl extends BdfIncomingMessageHook
 	}

 	private Author getAuthor(BdfDictionary meta) throws FormatException {
-		AuthorId authorId = new AuthorId(meta.getRaw(KEY_MEMBER_ID));
-		int formatVersion = meta.getLong(KEY_MEMBER_FORMAT_VERSION).intValue();
-		if (formatVersion != FORMAT_VERSION) throw new FormatException();
-		String name = meta.getString(KEY_MEMBER_NAME);
-		byte[] publicKey = meta.getRaw(KEY_MEMBER_PUBLIC_KEY);
-		return new Author(authorId, formatVersion, name, publicKey);
+		return clientHelper.parseAndValidateAuthor(meta.getList(KEY_MEMBER));
 	}

 	private Visibility getVisibility(BdfDictionary meta)
--- a/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/invitation/MessageEncoderImpl.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/invitation/MessageEncoderImpl.java
@@ -78,11 +78,7 @@ class MessageEncoderImpl implements MessageEncoder {
 			GroupId privateGroupId, long timestamp, String groupName,
 			Author creator, byte[] salt, @Nullable String message,
 			byte[] signature) {
-		BdfList creatorList = BdfList.of(
-				creator.getFormatVersion(),
-				creator.getName(),
-				creator.getPublicKey()
-		);
+		BdfList creatorList = clientHelper.toList(creator);
 		BdfList body = BdfList.of(
 				INVITE.getValue(),
 				creatorList,
--- a/briar-core/src/test/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogManagerImplTest.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/test/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogManagerImplTest.java
@@ -39,14 +39,10 @@ import static org.briarproject.bramble.test.TestUtils.getRandomBytes;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.test.TestUtils.getRandomId;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.util.StringUtils.getRandomString;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR_NAME;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_COMMENT;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_FORMAT_VERSION;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_ORIGINAL_PARENT_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_PUBLIC_KEY;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_READ;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_RSS_FEED;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_TIMESTAMP;
@@ -76,7 +72,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 			context.mock(BlogPostFactory.class);

 	private final LocalAuthor localAuthor1, localAuthor2, rssLocalAuthor;
-	private final BdfDictionary authorDict1, authorDict2, rssAuthorDict;
+	private final BdfList authorList1, authorList2, rssAuthorList;
 	private final Blog blog1, blog2, rssBlog;
 	private final long timestamp, timeReceived;
 	private final MessageId messageId, rssMessageId;
@@ -91,9 +87,9 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 		localAuthor1 = getLocalAuthor();
 		localAuthor2 = getLocalAuthor();
 		rssLocalAuthor = getLocalAuthor();
-		authorDict1 = authorToBdfDictionary(localAuthor1);
-		authorDict2 = authorToBdfDictionary(localAuthor2);
-		rssAuthorDict = authorToBdfDictionary(rssLocalAuthor);
+		authorList1 = authorToBdfList(localAuthor1);
+		authorList2 = authorToBdfList(localAuthor2);
+		rssAuthorList = authorToBdfList(rssLocalAuthor);
 		blog1 = createBlog(localAuthor1, false);
 		blog2 = createBlog(localAuthor2, false);
 		rssBlog = createBlog(rssLocalAuthor, true);
@@ -173,12 +169,14 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TYPE, POST.getInt()),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIMESTAMP, timestamp),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIME_RECEIVED, timeReceived),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorDict1),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorList1),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_READ, false),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_RSS_FEED, false)
 		);

 		context.checking(new Expectations() {{
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList1);
+			will(returnValue(localAuthor1));
 			oneOf(identityManager).getAuthorStatus(txn, localAuthor1.getId());
 			will(returnValue(VERIFIED));
 		}});
@@ -212,11 +210,16 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TYPE, POST.getInt()),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIMESTAMP, timestamp),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIME_RECEIVED, timeReceived),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, rssAuthorDict),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, rssAuthorList),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_READ, false),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_RSS_FEED, true)
 		);

+		context.checking(new Expectations() {{
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(rssAuthorList);
+			will(returnValue(rssLocalAuthor));
+		}});
+
 		blogManager.incomingMessage(txn, rssMessage, body, meta);
 		context.assertIsSatisfied();

@@ -263,7 +266,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 		BdfDictionary meta = BdfDictionary.of(
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TYPE, POST.getInt()),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIMESTAMP, timestamp),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorDict1),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorList1),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_READ, true),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_RSS_FEED, false)
 		);
@@ -275,7 +278,11 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 			will(returnValue(blog1.getGroup()));
 			oneOf(blogFactory).parseBlog(blog1.getGroup());
 			will(returnValue(blog1));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).toList(localAuthor1);
+			will(returnValue(authorList1));
 			oneOf(clientHelper).addLocalMessage(txn, message, meta, true);
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList1);
+			will(returnValue(localAuthor1));
 			oneOf(identityManager).getAuthorStatus(txn, localAuthor1.getId());
 			will(returnValue(OURSELVES));
 			oneOf(db).commitTransaction(txn);
@@ -309,7 +316,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 		BdfDictionary meta = BdfDictionary.of(
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TYPE, POST.getInt()),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIMESTAMP, timestamp),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, rssAuthorDict),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, rssAuthorList),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_READ, true),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_RSS_FEED, true)
 		);
@@ -321,7 +328,11 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 			will(returnValue(rssBlog.getGroup()));
 			oneOf(blogFactory).parseBlog(rssBlog.getGroup());
 			will(returnValue(rssBlog));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).toList(rssLocalAuthor);
+			will(returnValue(rssAuthorList));
 			oneOf(clientHelper).addLocalMessage(txn, rssMessage, meta, true);
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(rssAuthorList);
+			will(returnValue(rssLocalAuthor));
 			oneOf(db).commitTransaction(txn);
 			oneOf(db).endTransaction(txn);
 		}});
@@ -356,7 +367,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TYPE, POST.getInt()),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_RSS_FEED, false),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, messageId),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorDict1),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorList1),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIMESTAMP, timestamp),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIME_RECEIVED, timeReceived)
 		);
@@ -370,7 +381,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, commentId),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_PARENT_MSG_ID, messageId),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID, messageId),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorDict1)
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorList1)
 		);

 		context.checking(new Expectations() {{
@@ -380,14 +391,20 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 			oneOf(blogPostFactory).createBlogComment(blog1.getId(),
 					localAuthor1, comment, messageId, messageId);
 			will(returnValue(commentMsg));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).toList(localAuthor1);
+			will(returnValue(authorList1));
 			// Store the comment
 			oneOf(clientHelper).addLocalMessage(txn, commentMsg, commentMeta,
 					true);
 			// Create the headers for the comment and its parent
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList1);
+			will(returnValue(localAuthor1));
 			oneOf(identityManager).getAuthorStatus(txn, localAuthor1.getId());
 			will(returnValue(OURSELVES));
 			oneOf(clientHelper).getMessageMetadataAsDictionary(txn, messageId);
 			will(returnValue(postMeta));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList1);
+			will(returnValue(localAuthor1));
 			oneOf(identityManager).getAuthorStatus(txn, localAuthor1.getId());
 			will(returnValue(OURSELVES));
 			oneOf(db).commitTransaction(txn);
@@ -446,7 +463,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TYPE, WRAPPED_POST.getInt()),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_RSS_FEED, false),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, messageId),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorDict1),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorList1),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIMESTAMP, timestamp),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIME_RECEIVED, timeReceived)
 		);
@@ -460,7 +477,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, commentId),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_PARENT_MSG_ID, messageId),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID, wrappedPostId),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorDict2)
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorList2)
 		);

 		context.checking(new Expectations() {{
@@ -475,6 +492,8 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 					blog1.getGroup().getDescriptor(), timestamp,
 					originalPostBody);
 			will(returnValue(wrappedPostMsg));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).toList(localAuthor1);
+			will(returnValue(authorList1));
 			// Store the wrapped post
 			oneOf(clientHelper).addLocalMessage(txn, wrappedPostMsg,
 					wrappedPostMeta, true);
@@ -482,15 +501,21 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 			oneOf(blogPostFactory).createBlogComment(blog2.getId(),
 					localAuthor2, comment, messageId, wrappedPostId);
 			will(returnValue(commentMsg));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).toList(localAuthor2);
+			will(returnValue(authorList2));
 			// Store the comment
 			oneOf(clientHelper).addLocalMessage(txn, commentMsg, commentMeta,
 					true);
 			// Create the headers for the comment and the wrapped post
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList2);
+			will(returnValue(localAuthor2));
 			oneOf(identityManager).getAuthorStatus(txn, localAuthor2.getId());
 			will(returnValue(OURSELVES));
 			oneOf(clientHelper).getMessageMetadataAsDictionary(txn,
 					wrappedPostId);
 			will(returnValue(wrappedPostMeta));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList1);
+			will(returnValue(localAuthor1));
 			oneOf(identityManager).getAuthorStatus(txn, localAuthor1.getId());
 			will(returnValue(VERIFIED));
 			oneOf(db).commitTransaction(txn);
@@ -549,7 +574,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TYPE, WRAPPED_POST.getInt()),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_RSS_FEED, true),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, rssMessageId),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, rssAuthorDict),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, rssAuthorList),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIMESTAMP, timestamp),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIME_RECEIVED, timeReceived)
 		);
@@ -563,7 +588,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, commentId),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_PARENT_MSG_ID, rssMessageId),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID, wrappedPostId),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorDict1)
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorList1)
 		);

 		context.checking(new Expectations() {{
@@ -578,6 +603,8 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 					rssBlog.getGroup().getDescriptor(), timestamp,
 					originalPostBody);
 			will(returnValue(wrappedPostMsg));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).toList(rssLocalAuthor);
+			will(returnValue(rssAuthorList));
 			// Store the wrapped post
 			oneOf(clientHelper).addLocalMessage(txn, wrappedPostMsg,
 					wrappedPostMeta, true);
@@ -585,15 +612,21 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 			oneOf(blogPostFactory).createBlogComment(blog1.getId(),
 					localAuthor1, comment, rssMessageId, wrappedPostId);
 			will(returnValue(commentMsg));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).toList(localAuthor1);
+			will(returnValue(authorList1));
 			// Store the comment
 			oneOf(clientHelper).addLocalMessage(txn, commentMsg, commentMeta,
 					true);
 			// Create the headers for the comment and the wrapped post
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList1);
+			will(returnValue(localAuthor1));
 			oneOf(identityManager).getAuthorStatus(txn, localAuthor1.getId());
 			will(returnValue(OURSELVES));
 			oneOf(clientHelper).getMessageMetadataAsDictionary(txn,
 					wrappedPostId);
 			will(returnValue(wrappedPostMeta));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(rssAuthorList);
+			will(returnValue(rssLocalAuthor));
 			oneOf(db).commitTransaction(txn);
 			oneOf(db).endTransaction(txn);
 		}});
@@ -654,7 +687,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TYPE, WRAPPED_POST.getInt()),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_RSS_FEED, true),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, messageId),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, rssAuthorDict),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, rssAuthorList),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIMESTAMP, timestamp),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIME_RECEIVED, timeReceived)
 		);
@@ -666,7 +699,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_COMMENT, comment),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID, rewrappedPostId),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, originalCommentId),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorDict1),
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorList1),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIMESTAMP, timestamp),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_TIME_RECEIVED, timeReceived)
 		);
@@ -681,7 +714,7 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID, localCommentId),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_ORIGINAL_PARENT_MSG_ID, originalCommentId),
 				new BdfEntry(KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID, wrappedCommentId),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorDict2)
+				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR, authorList2)
 		);

 		context.checking(new Expectations() {{
@@ -693,6 +726,8 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 			oneOf(blogPostFactory).rewrapWrappedPost(blog2.getId(),
 					wrappedPostBody);
 			will(returnValue(rewrappedPostMsg));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).toList(rssLocalAuthor);
+			will(returnValue(rssAuthorList));
 			// Store the rewrapped post
 			oneOf(clientHelper).addLocalMessage(txn, rewrappedPostMsg,
 					rewrappedPostMeta, true);
@@ -708,6 +743,8 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 					blog1.getGroup().getDescriptor(), timestamp,
 					originalCommentBody, rewrappedPostId);
 			will(returnValue(wrappedCommentMsg));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).toList(localAuthor1);
+			will(returnValue(authorList1));
 			// Store the wrapped comment
 			oneOf(clientHelper).addLocalMessage(txn, wrappedCommentMsg,
 					wrappedCommentMeta, true);
@@ -716,21 +753,29 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 					localAuthor2, localComment, originalCommentId,
 					wrappedCommentId);
 			will(returnValue(localCommentMsg));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).toList(localAuthor2);
+			will(returnValue(authorList2));
 			// Store the new comment
 			oneOf(clientHelper).addLocalMessage(txn, localCommentMsg,
 					localCommentMeta, true);
 			// Create the headers for the new comment, the wrapped comment and
 			// the rewrapped post
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList2);
+			will(returnValue(localAuthor2));
 			oneOf(identityManager).getAuthorStatus(txn, localAuthor2.getId());
 			will(returnValue(OURSELVES));
 			oneOf(clientHelper).getMessageMetadataAsDictionary(txn,
 					wrappedCommentId);
 			will(returnValue(wrappedCommentMeta));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(authorList1);
+			will(returnValue(localAuthor1));
 			oneOf(identityManager).getAuthorStatus(txn, localAuthor1.getId());
 			will(returnValue(VERIFIED));
 			oneOf(clientHelper).getMessageMetadataAsDictionary(txn,
 					rewrappedPostId);
 			will(returnValue(rewrappedPostMeta));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).parseAndValidateAuthor(rssAuthorList);
+			will(returnValue(rssLocalAuthor));
 			oneOf(db).commitTransaction(txn);
 			oneOf(db).endTransaction(txn);
 		}});
@@ -827,13 +872,8 @@ public class BlogManagerImplTest extends BriarTestCase {
 		return new Blog(group, localAuthor, rssFeed);
 	}

-	private BdfDictionary authorToBdfDictionary(Author a) {
-		return BdfDictionary.of(
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR_ID, a.getId()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_FORMAT_VERSION, a.getFormatVersion()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR_NAME, a.getName()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_PUBLIC_KEY, a.getPublicKey())
-		);
+	private BdfList authorToBdfList(Author a) {
+		return BdfList.of(a.getFormatVersion(), a.getName(), a.getPublicKey());
 	}

 }
--- a/briar-core/src/test/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogPostValidatorTest.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/test/java/org/briarproject/briar/blog/BlogPostValidatorTest.java
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package org.briarproject.briar.blog;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.FormatException;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.client.ClientHelper;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.BdfDictionary;
-import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.BdfEntry;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.BdfList;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.data.MetadataEncoder;
 import org.briarproject.bramble.api.identity.Author;
@@ -30,14 +29,10 @@ import static org.briarproject.bramble.test.TestUtils.getRandomBytes;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.test.TestUtils.getRandomId;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.util.StringUtils.getRandomString;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_AUTHOR_NAME;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_COMMENT;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_FORMAT_VERSION;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_ORIGINAL_PARENT_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_PUBLIC_KEY;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_READ;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_RSS_FEED;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogManager.CLIENT_ID;
@@ -55,7 +50,7 @@ public class BlogPostValidatorTest extends BriarTestCase {

 	private final Mockery context = new Mockery();
 	private final Blog blog, rssBlog;
-	private final BdfDictionary authorDict;
+	private final BdfList authorList;
 	private final byte[] descriptor;
 	private final Group group;
 	private final Message message;
@@ -73,11 +68,10 @@ public class BlogPostValidatorTest extends BriarTestCase {
 		descriptor = getRandomBytes(42);
 		group = new Group(groupId, CLIENT_ID, descriptor);
 		author = getAuthor();
-		authorDict = BdfDictionary.of(
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR_ID, author.getId()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_FORMAT_VERSION, author.getFormatVersion()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_AUTHOR_NAME, author.getName()),
-				new BdfEntry(KEY_PUBLIC_KEY, author.getPublicKey())
+		authorList = BdfList.of(
+				author.getFormatVersion(),
+				author.getName(),
+				author.getPublicKey()
 		);
 		blog = new Blog(group, author, false);
 		rssBlog = new Blog(group, author, true);
@@ -117,7 +111,7 @@ public class BlogPostValidatorTest extends BriarTestCase {
 		BdfDictionary result =
 				validator.validateMessage(message, group, m).getDictionary();

-		assertEquals(authorDict, result.getDictionary(KEY_AUTHOR));
+		assertEquals(authorList, result.getList(KEY_AUTHOR));
 		assertFalse(result.getBoolean(KEY_READ));
 		assertEquals(rssFeed, result.getBoolean(KEY_RSS_FEED));
 		context.assertIsSatisfied();
@@ -129,7 +123,7 @@ public class BlogPostValidatorTest extends BriarTestCase {
 		BdfList content = BdfList.of(null, null, body);
 		BdfList m = BdfList.of(POST.getInt(), content, null);

-		validator.validateMessage(message, group, m).getDictionary();
+		validator.validateMessage(message, group, m);
 	}

 	@Test(expected = FormatException.class)
@@ -138,7 +132,7 @@ public class BlogPostValidatorTest extends BriarTestCase {
 		BdfList content = BdfList.of(null, null, body, null);
 		BdfList m = BdfList.of(POST.getInt(), content, null);

-		validator.validateMessage(message, group, m).getDictionary();
+		validator.validateMessage(message, group, m);
 	}

 	@Test
@@ -159,7 +153,7 @@ public class BlogPostValidatorTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				validator.validateMessage(message, group, m).getDictionary();

 		assertEquals(comment, result.getString(KEY_COMMENT));
-		assertEquals(authorDict, result.getDictionary(KEY_AUTHOR));
+		assertEquals(authorList, result.getList(KEY_AUTHOR));
 		assertEquals(pOriginalId.getBytes(),
 				result.getRaw(KEY_ORIGINAL_PARENT_MSG_ID));
 		assertEquals(currentId.getBytes(), result.getRaw(KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID));
@@ -229,7 +223,7 @@ public class BlogPostValidatorTest extends BriarTestCase {
 		BdfDictionary result =
 				validator.validateMessage(message, group, m).getDictionary();

-		assertEquals(authorDict, result.getDictionary(KEY_AUTHOR));
+		assertEquals(authorList, result.getList(KEY_AUTHOR));
 		assertEquals(rssFeed, result.getBoolean(KEY_RSS_FEED));
 		context.assertIsSatisfied();
 	}
@@ -272,7 +266,7 @@ public class BlogPostValidatorTest extends BriarTestCase {
 				validator.validateMessage(message, group, m).getDictionary();

 		assertEquals(comment, result.getString(KEY_COMMENT));
-		assertEquals(authorDict, result.getDictionary(KEY_AUTHOR));
+		assertEquals(authorList, result.getList(KEY_AUTHOR));
 		assertEquals(
 				message.getId().getBytes(), result.getRaw(KEY_ORIGINAL_MSG_ID));
 		assertEquals(currentId.getBytes(), result.getRaw(KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID));
@@ -284,6 +278,8 @@ public class BlogPostValidatorTest extends BriarTestCase {
 		context.checking(new Expectations() {{
 			oneOf(blogFactory).parseBlog(group);
 			will(returnValue(b));
+			oneOf(clientHelper).toList(b.getAuthor());
+			will(returnValue(authorList));
 			oneOf(clientHelper)
 					.verifySignature(label, sig, author.getPublicKey(), signed);
 		}});
--- a/briar-core/src/test/java/org/briarproject/briar/forum/ForumPostValidatorTest.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/test/java/org/briarproject/briar/forum/ForumPostValidatorTest.java
@@ -22,11 +22,7 @@ import static org.briarproject.bramble.test.TestUtils.getRandomId;
 import static org.briarproject.bramble.util.StringUtils.getRandomString;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.blog.BlogConstants.KEY_READ;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_AUTHOR;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_FORMAT_VERSION;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_NAME;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_PARENT;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_PUBLIC_KEY;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.KEY_TIMESTAMP;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumConstants.MAX_FORUM_POST_BODY_LENGTH;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.forum.ForumPostFactory.SIGNING_LABEL_POST;
@@ -74,7 +70,7 @@ public class ForumPostValidatorTest extends ValidatorTestCase {

 		BdfMessageContext messageContext = v.validateMessage(message, group,
 				BdfList.of(null, authorList, content, signature));
-		assertExpectedContext(messageContext, false, authorName);
+		assertExpectedContext(messageContext, false);
 	}

 	@Test(expected = FormatException.class)
@@ -149,7 +145,7 @@ public class ForumPostValidatorTest extends ValidatorTestCase {

 		BdfMessageContext messageContext = v.validateMessage(message, group,
 				BdfList.of(parentId, authorList, shortContent, signature));
-		assertExpectedContext(messageContext, true, authorName);
+		assertExpectedContext(messageContext, true);
 	}

 	@Test(expected = FormatException.class)
@@ -224,7 +220,7 @@ public class ForumPostValidatorTest extends ValidatorTestCase {
 	}

 	private void assertExpectedContext(BdfMessageContext messageContext,
-			boolean hasParent, String authorName) throws FormatException {
+			boolean hasParent) throws FormatException {
 		BdfDictionary meta = messageContext.getDictionary();
 		Collection<MessageId> dependencies = messageContext.getDependencies();
 		if (hasParent) {
@@ -238,12 +234,6 @@ public class ForumPostValidatorTest extends ValidatorTestCase {
 		}
 		assertEquals(timestamp, meta.getLong(KEY_TIMESTAMP).longValue());
 		assertFalse(meta.getBoolean(KEY_READ));
-		BdfDictionary authorMeta = meta.getDictionary(KEY_AUTHOR);
-		assertEquals(4, authorMeta.size());
-		assertArrayEquals(author.getId().getBytes(), authorMeta.getRaw(KEY_ID));
-		assertEquals(author.getFormatVersion(),
-				authorMeta.getLong(KEY_FORMAT_VERSION).intValue());
-		assertEquals(authorName, authorMeta.getString(KEY_NAME));
-		assertArrayEquals(authorPublicKey, authorMeta.getRaw(KEY_PUBLIC_KEY));
+		assertEquals(authorList, meta.getList(KEY_AUTHOR));
 	}
 }
--- a/briar-core/src/test/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/GroupMessageValidatorTest.java
+++ b/briar-core/src/test/java/org/briarproject/briar/privategroup/GroupMessageValidatorTest.java
@@ -34,10 +34,7 @@ import static org.briarproject.briar.api.privategroup.PrivateGroupConstants.MAX_
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.privategroup.PrivateGroupConstants.MAX_GROUP_POST_BODY_LENGTH;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.api.privategroup.invitation.GroupInvitationFactory.SIGNING_LABEL_INVITE;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_INITIAL_JOIN_MSG;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_FORMAT_VERSION;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_ID;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_NAME;
-import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER_PUBLIC_KEY;
+import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_MEMBER;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_PARENT_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_PREVIOUS_MSG_ID;
 import static org.briarproject.briar.privategroup.GroupConstants.KEY_READ;
@@ -180,7 +177,7 @@ public class GroupMessageValidatorTest extends ValidatorTestCase {
 				memberSignature);
 		BdfMessageContext messageContext =
 				validator.validateMessage(message, group, body);
-		assertExpectedMessageContext(messageContext, JOIN, creator,
+		assertExpectedMessageContext(messageContext, JOIN, creatorList,
 				Collections.emptyList());
 		assertTrue(messageContext.getDictionary()
 				.getBoolean(KEY_INITIAL_JOIN_MSG));
@@ -365,7 +362,7 @@ public class GroupMessageValidatorTest extends ValidatorTestCase {
 				memberSignature);
 		BdfMessageContext messageContext =
 				validator.validateMessage(message, group, body);
-		assertExpectedMessageContext(messageContext, JOIN, member,
+		assertExpectedMessageContext(messageContext, JOIN, memberList,
 				Collections.emptyList());
 		assertFalse(messageContext.getDictionary()
 				.getBoolean(KEY_INITIAL_JOIN_MSG));
@@ -616,7 +613,7 @@ public class GroupMessageValidatorTest extends ValidatorTestCase {
 		expectPostMessage(parentId, true);
 		BdfMessageContext messageContext =
 				validator.validateMessage(message, group, body);
-		assertExpectedMessageContext(messageContext, POST, member,
+		assertExpectedMessageContext(messageContext, POST, memberList,
 				Arrays.asList(parentId, previousMsgId));
 		assertArrayEquals(previousMsgId.getBytes(),
 				messageContext.getDictionary().getRaw(KEY_PREVIOUS_MSG_ID));
@@ -631,7 +628,7 @@ public class GroupMessageValidatorTest extends ValidatorTestCase {
 		expectPostMessage(null, true);
 		BdfMessageContext messageContext =
 				validator.validateMessage(message, group, body);
-		assertExpectedMessageContext(messageContext, POST, member,
+		assertExpectedMessageContext(messageContext, POST, memberList,
 				Collections.singletonList(previousMsgId));
 		assertArrayEquals(previousMsgId.getBytes(),
 				messageContext.getDictionary().getRaw(KEY_PREVIOUS_MSG_ID));
@@ -659,18 +656,14 @@ public class GroupMessageValidatorTest extends ValidatorTestCase {
 	}

 	private void assertExpectedMessageContext(BdfMessageContext c,
-			MessageType type, Author member,
+			MessageType type, BdfList member,
 			Collection<MessageId> dependencies) throws FormatException {
 		BdfDictionary d = c.getDictionary();
 		assertEquals(type.getInt(), d.getLong(KEY_TYPE).intValue());
 		assertEquals(message.getTimestamp(),
 				d.getLong(KEY_TIMESTAMP).longValue());
 		assertFalse(d.getBoolean(KEY_READ));
-		assertEquals(member.getId().getBytes(), d.getRaw(KEY_MEMBER_ID));
-		assertEquals(member.getFormatVersion(),
-				d.getLong(KEY_MEMBER_FORMAT_VERSION).intValue());
-		assertEquals(member.getName(), d.getString(KEY_MEMBER_NAME));
-		assertEquals(member.getPublicKey(), d.getRaw(KEY_MEMBER_PUBLIC_KEY));
+		assertEquals(member, d.getList(KEY_MEMBER));
 		assertEquals(dependencies, c.getDependencies());
 	}