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AWS acquires Wickr

aws.amazon.com

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Re: AWS acquires Wickr

#41

Post by rapsey »

colmmacc wrote: post #38
crmd wrote: post #19

You can be sure there is already a team working on the architectural changes needed to implement lawful intercept and passive surveillance on Wickr. This is what happens when a secure platform gets too big. The same thing happened to Skype.

I work on cryptography at AWS, and long before that I worked on Skype a bit, so I can't resist commenting! Wickr features end to end cryptography, https://wickr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/WhitePaper_Wick... , and I can't see why we'd change that (and even that framing is a bit weird, I'm sure Wickr will continue to be autonomous but maybe with access to more resources from the rest of Amazon). Increasingly, end-t…

As an american company, customers should absolutely be distrustful of any claims of security. There is very little in the way of the feds giving you a gag order and ordering you to provide a backdoor.

Amazon has zero recourse in this situation, neither would they risk their gov contracts fighting it.

Re: AWS acquires Wickr

#43

Post by INTPenis »

colmmacc wrote: post #38
crmd wrote: post #19

You can be sure there is already a team working on the architectural changes needed to implement lawful intercept and passive surveillance on Wickr. This is what happens when a secure platform gets too big. The same thing happened to Skype.

I work on cryptography at AWS, and long before that I worked on Skype a bit, so I can't resist commenting! Wickr features end to end cryptography, https://wickr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/WhitePaper_Wick... , and I can't see why we'd change that (and even that framing is a bit weird, I'm sure Wickr will continue to be autonomous but maybe with access to more resources from the rest of Amazon). Increasingly, end-t…

End 2 end cryptography, to what end does Ring need e2ee? To Amazon? Who is on the other end?

Also, metadata.

Re: AWS acquires Wickr

#44

Post by INTPenis »

habibur wrote: post #40

Feeling like I need to build my own end-to-end secure channel communication web app on my server. As every other is getting sold. With current level of browser support, assuming that might not take too much time.

A friend does coding work for Briar and he's of a similar mind as myself. If he trusts Briar, I trust Briar.

Re: AWS acquires Wickr

#45

Post by Bigpet »

colmmacc wrote: post #38
crmd wrote: post #19

You can be sure there is already a team working on the architectural changes needed to implement lawful intercept and passive surveillance on Wickr. This is what happens when a secure platform gets too big. The same thing happened to Skype.

I work on cryptography at AWS, and long before that I worked on Skype a bit, so I can't resist commenting! Wickr features end to end cryptography, https://wickr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/WhitePaper_Wick... , and I can't see why we'd change that (and even that framing is a bit weird, I'm sure Wickr will continue to be autonomous but maybe with access to more resources from the rest of Amazon). Increasingly, end-t…

> I'm sure Wickr will continue to be autonomous but maybe with access to more resources from the rest of Amazon

To be fair, this is the fairy-tale that's told on every acquisition. I'm pretty certain this same narrative was spun even when facebook acquired occulus.

Not saying this will be similar, but just hearing those words is not assuring by itself.

Re: AWS acquires Wickr

#46

Post by drenvuk »

habibur wrote: post #40

Feeling like I need to build my own end-to-end secure channel communication web app on my server. As every other is getting sold. With current level of browser support, assuming that might not take too much time.

why build your own? just use element and matrix.

Re: AWS acquires Wickr

#47

Post by INTPenis »

smartbit wrote: post #37
deadalus wrote: post #9

So, what are some good Wickr alternatives?

Last March c’t tested some alternatives https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2021/8/2106310351115657652 App Security #users ease Functio- Price & privacy Germany of use nality Element o - - o Free Signal + o + + Free Telegram - + ++ ++ Free Threema + o o o $3-$4 Whatsapp o ++ + + Free Wire + o - - Free ++ very good + good o good enough - bad

You should test Briar.

Re: AWS acquires Wickr

#48

Post by realce »

colmmacc wrote: post #38
crmd wrote: post #19

You can be sure there is already a team working on the architectural changes needed to implement lawful intercept and passive surveillance on Wickr. This is what happens when a secure platform gets too big. The same thing happened to Skype.

I work on cryptography at AWS, and long before that I worked on Skype a bit, so I can't resist commenting! Wickr features end to end cryptography, https://wickr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/WhitePaper_Wick... , and I can't see why we'd change that (and even that framing is a bit weird, I'm sure Wickr will continue to be autonomous but maybe with access to more resources from the rest of Amazon). Increasingly, end-t…

That's an odd glossy advertisement... Everyone here knows what end-to-end encryption is.

Regardless of any promise, professed dismay, warranty, or other statement by Amazon, this product is no longer a trustworthy interface for private communications. The mere presence of the company brings such high probability of capitulation to government or corporate eavesdroppers that it's basically a useless asset to own IMPO.

Re: AWS acquires Wickr

#49

Post by drenvuk »

INTPenis wrote: post #43
colmmacc wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I work on cryptography at AWS, and long before that I worked on Skype a bit, so I can't resist commenting! Wickr features end to end cryptography, https://wickr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/WhitePaper_Wick... , and I can't see why we'd change that (and even that framing is a bit weird, I'm sure Wickr will continue to be autonomous but maybe with access to more resources from the rest of Amazon). Increasingly, end-t…

End 2 end cryptography, to what end does Ring need e2ee? To Amazon? Who is on the other end? Also, metadata.

other enrolled devices. please check the provided links.

Re: AWS acquires Wickr

#50

Post by motohagiography »

Huge congratulations to them. I hope the terms were favorable. It's a small personal vindication to have seen the value early on because I recommended to another (Bezos backed) company look into acquiring Wickr some years ago, but I lacked the cred to make it happen. While it feels a bit small to taint a congratulations with smugness about being right - a hearty and sincere well done to the Wickr team. A success absolutely earned.
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