Skype, why you should not be using it.
32 2013-05-23 by [deleted]
The NSA was offering billions to anyone who offers a reliable eavesdropping solution for Skype. source
Then Microsoft buys Skype for $8.5 billion, more than twice what Google or Facebook were offering. source
A month later, Microsoft was granted a patent for a "legal intercept" technology designed to be used with VoIP services like Skype, which enables silently copying communications transmitted through them. source
MS moved Skype's supernodes to its own in-house data centers, getting rid of the decentralized P2P architecture of Skype (which was hindering eavesdropping). source 1 source 2
MS continues to state that the move to this new architecture is to ensure stability/reliability of the network. source
However, they continue refusing to comment on whether they eavesdrop on the communications, and their ToS/privacy policy make no guarantees about this. source
MS buying Skype for a whooping $8.5 billion, makes it a telecommunications carrier. And under CALEA, "telecommunications carriers and manufacturers of telecommunications equipment are required to modify and design their equipment, facilities, and services to ensure they have built-in surveillance capabilities, allowing federal agencies to monitor all telephone, broadband internet, and VoIP traffic in real-time." source
Going back to the initial point, it now seems that the NSA's offer no longer stands.
What should I use then?
An alternative for your IM/VoIP needs is Jitsi. It's open source, supports every popular protocol, and out of the box full end-to-end encryption (uses OTR for instant messaging encryption and SRTP and ZRTP for XMPP and SIP encryption).
10 comments
3 [deleted] 2013-05-23
[deleted]
2 JuzPwn 2013-05-23
Which prog?
2 [deleted] 2013-05-23
[deleted]
3 treerat 2013-05-23
If you have an android device, try Redphone for calls and Textsecure for texting.
http://www.whispersystems.org/
or use xabber or gibberbot for texting.
1 Limrickroll 2013-05-23
I can confirm Whisper Systems is a respectable group
1 lllIIIlIlIlIlIlI 2013-05-23
These are only encrypted if the other user you're calling or texting has Redphone and Textsecure install, too...right?
1 dukeofsklarbro 2013-05-23
Can I still beat off over icq?
3 mrtrikonasana 2013-05-23
UIN?
-8 rumpbarnet 2013-05-23
Do you seriously think they care what I say while I play with my mates and share spotify music over skype?
8 blahahahahah 2013-05-23
no, no one cares about you.
1 dsprox 2013-05-23
No but start doing things like talking about murdering politicians and trafficking guns and narcotics and I guarantee you they will start to show an interest in your conversations.
8 kronosopher 2013-05-23
Yea, they wouldn't want any competition.
3 mrtrikonasana 2013-05-23
UIN?