Skype adds Signal protocol powered ‘Private Conversations’

Follows WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Google Allo in adding end-to-end encryption

Microsoft is adding an end-to-end encryption option, powered by Signal, to Skype.

‘Private Conversations’ are powered by the Signal Protocol, which is already being utilised by WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Google Allo among others.

“At Signal, our goal is to make private communication simple and ubiquitous,” Signal’s Joshua Lund wrote in a blog post.

“With hundreds of millions of active users, Skype is one of the most popular applications in the world, and we’re excited that Private Conversations in Skype will allow more users to take advantage of Signal Protocol’s strong encryption properties for secure communication.”

Available initially in preview to selected ‘Skype insiders’, Private Conversations are only available for communications between two individuals, and not supported in group chats.

Its capabilities, for now, are limited. You cannot edit a message or forward a file. From the chat window, only emoticons, files and audio messages are available to send.

Private Conversations are also specific to a device. A new invitation must be sent and accepted, to change to another device.

“Up next, we’d like to improve the UX around the invite to join a private conversation and bring the experience to the Universal Windows Platform client,” wrote Microsoft support engineer Ellen Kilbourne, in a blog post.

Whisper it

The Signal Protocol developed by non-profit Open Whisper Systems is considered to be one of the strongest end-to-end encryption options, scoring highly in the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s first secure messaging scorecard (currently being revised).

Skype scored poorly.

Signal said it will continue to bring its open source protocol to other messaging platforms.

“We’re going to continue our efforts to advance the state of the art for frictionless private communication, in our own app and in others. We’re excited about the future of Signal Protocol and the places it is going,” Lund wrote.

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Tags MicrosoftprotocolWhatsAppopen source securitywhispersignalGoogle AlloFacebook Messenger

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