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Skype & the Dangers of Phone Hacking


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Old 09-10-2013, 13:00
blake_shadow
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Join Date: Sep 2013
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Video-chat communication pioneers Skype have refused to confirm or deny rumours that it is now possible for ‘wiretaps’ to be used to eavesdrop on conversations made via their system.

Skype were decidedly vague and un-forthcoming with their responses to questions put to them by a Slate reporter’s enquiries, informing Slate that:”We [Skype] co-operate with law enforcement agencies as much as is legally and technically possible”.

So while their responses – and potential actions – may not be an admittance of guilt, it seems that the legislation regarding video-call interception is now a decidedly grey area.

Skype had previously insisted that,” because of its peer-to-peer architecture and encryption techniques, wire-tapping would be impossible.” A quite different response to its most recent press statement…

Skype are no strangers to the legislatorial limelight, having previously faced harsh criticism from law enforcement in 2007 when it was announced by German police that their (Skype’s) encryption software presented ‘grave difficulties’ for them, causing them to launch a project specifically capable of developing Trojans capable of recording internet calls.

Far from being grounded in conspiracy, the latest raised eyebrows at Skype’s actions are well warranted following their £5.2 billion sale to technology behemoth Microsoft in May of last year. It was just one month after their purchase that Microsoft applied for – and was subsequently granted – a patent for ‘legal intercept technology’ that could be used to record internet communications.

So all things considered, it seems clear that whatever Microsoft has planned for Skype, it’s not going to be letting us in on it for some time yet. But it does give reason to be dubious of peer-to-peer architecture when compared to the security offered by Voip technology.
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