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Signal partners with Microsoft to bring end-to-end encryption to Skype

signal.org

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Re: Signal partners with Microsoft to bring end-to-end encryption to Skype

#2
I can't help but read this with a cynical voice in my head: Skype used to have an incredibly bleeding edge P2P E2E encrypted protocol, and Microsoft threw it all away. Some might say for good reasons (mobile use case, supernodes straining routers, legal wiretap compliance issues); I'd respectfully disagree and observe that there's just going full-circle.

Re: Signal partners with Microsoft to bring end-to-end encryption to Skype

#4
post #2

I can't help but read this with a cynical voice in my head: Skype used to have an incredibly bleeding edge P2P E2E encrypted protocol, and Microsoft threw it all away. Some might say for good reasons (mobile use case, supernodes straining routers, legal wiretap compliance issues); I'd respectfully disagree and observe that there's just going full-circle.

Yeah, Microsoft moving to a model where "lawful intercept" is no longer possible would be hugely surprising.

Re: Signal partners with Microsoft to bring end-to-end encryption to Skype

#5
I guess I'll be downvoted to hell, but.... This absolutely stinks. Signal is most likely blessed by the NSA. This is a ruse to get people comfortable with using Skype again for confidential conversations. Ever since Microsoft bought Skype and completely gutted it, it's been an open secret that they only did so to fulfill an $8B RFP by the NSA to break Skype's encryption.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8106721

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4254925

edit: added sources

Re: Signal partners with Microsoft to bring end-to-end encryption to Skype

#6
post #2

I can't help but read this with a cynical voice in my head: Skype used to have an incredibly bleeding edge P2P E2E encrypted protocol, and Microsoft threw it all away. Some might say for good reasons (mobile use case, supernodes straining routers, legal wiretap compliance issues); I'd respectfully disagree and observe that there's just going full-circle.

Based on what do you respectfully disagree? I'd be curious to hear your reasons for thinking the "good" reasons you mention aren't in fact good.

Re: Signal partners with Microsoft to bring end-to-end encryption to Skype

#7

I guess I'll be downvoted to hell, but.... This absolutely stinks. Signal is most likely blessed by the NSA. This is a ruse to get people comfortable with using Skype again for confidential conversations. Ever since Microsoft bought Skype and completely gutted it, it's been an open secret that they only did so to fulfill an $8B RFP by the NSA to break Skype's encryption. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8106721 h…

You can't make a claim like that and not cite any sources.

Re: Signal partners with Microsoft to bring end-to-end encryption to Skype

#8
post #2

I can't help but read this with a cynical voice in my head: Skype used to have an incredibly bleeding edge P2P E2E encrypted protocol, and Microsoft threw it all away. Some might say for good reasons (mobile use case, supernodes straining routers, legal wiretap compliance issues); I'd respectfully disagree and observe that there's just going full-circle.

Did they remove some e2e encryption or did they just start running the supernodes themselves/move closer to a centralized architecture?

Re: Signal partners with Microsoft to bring end-to-end encryption to Skype

#10
post #2

I can't help but read this with a cynical voice in my head: Skype used to have an incredibly bleeding edge P2P E2E encrypted protocol, and Microsoft threw it all away. Some might say for good reasons (mobile use case, supernodes straining routers, legal wiretap compliance issues); I'd respectfully disagree and observe that there's just going full-circle.

Some ex-Skype developers created http://Wire.com with open-source E2E encryption and mobile apps that are usable by regular people.
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