Messenger
Microsoft confirms it’s killing off Skype in May, after 14 years
Microsoft has confirmed that the Skype video call and messaging service will be shut down in May, 14 years after replacing the Windows Live Messenger. A reader contacted GeekFeed, and shared that according to strings found in preview versions of Skype for Windows, the company will ask users to switch to Teams Free, with all their […]
Signal will let you sync old messages when linking new devices
Signal is finally adding a new feature that allows users to synchronize their old message history from their primary iOS or Android devices to newly linked devices like desktops and iPads. The transfer process is fully end-to-end encrypted, ensuring privacy and data security. It will employ a QR code verification step to ensure the action […]
CISA urges switch to Signal-like encrypted messaging apps after telecom hacks
Today, CISA urged senior government and political officials to switch to end-to-end encrypted messaging apps like Signal following a wave of telecom breaches across dozens of countries, including eight carriers in the United States. CISA and the FBI confirmed these breaches in late October after reports that the Salt Typhoon, a Chinese-backed threat group, had hacked multiple U.S. […]
Russia blocks Viber in latest attempt to censor communications
Russian telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor has blocked the Viber encrypted messaging app, used by hundreds of millions worldwide, for violating the country’s legislation. “Access to the Viber service is restricted due to the violation of the requirements of Russian legislation for organizers of information dissemination,” Russia’s internet regulator said in a press statement. “Compliance with the […]
Signal introduces convenient “call links” for private group chats
The Signal messenger application has announced a set of new features aimed at making private group chats more convenient and easier for people to join. The highlight feature announced is “call links,” which allow users to create and share links with other Signal users without needing to create a group chat. The links can be […]
WhatsApp now encrypts contact databases for privacy-preserving synching
The WhatsApp messenger platform has introduced Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS), a new privacy-preserving encrypted storage system designed for contact management. The new system solves two long-standing problems WhatsApp users have been dealing with for years, namely the risk of losing their contact lists if they lose their phone and the inability to sync contacts between different […]
Malware infiltrates Pidgin messenger’s official plugin repository
The Pidgin messaging app removed the ScreenShareOTR plugin from its official third-party plugin list after it was discovered that it was used to install keyloggers, information stealers, and malware commonly used to gain initial access to corporate networks. The plugin was promoted as a screen-sharing tool for secure Off-The-Record (OTR) protocol and was available for […]
Russia blocks Signal for ‘violating’ anti-terrorism laws
Russia’s telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor has restricted access to the Signal encrypted messaging service for what it describes as violations of Russian anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation. “User access to the messenger Signal is restricted due to violations of the requirements of the Russian legislation whose fulfillment is necessary to prevent the use of the messenger for […]