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Amazon buys encrypted messaging app Wickr
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Amazon has just announced it has acquired the encrypted messaging app Wickr. The messaging app should be incorporated in its Amazon Web Services (AWS). Wickr, which was founded in 2011 and is based in San Fransisco, describes itself as the “most secure” video conferencing and collaboration platform. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Amazon Buys Wickr: The messaging app will be integrated to AWS
Amazon’s cloud services giant Amazon Web Services (AWS) is getting into the encrypted messaging business. According to PitchBook data, Wickr had raised just under $60 million in funding. Founded 10 years ago, Wickr is delighted about this acquisition :
"With the move to hybrid work environments, due in part to the Covid-19 pandemic, enterprises and government agencies have a growing desire to protect their communications across many remote locations."
Stephen Schmidt, VP and CISO for AWS
Why Amazon is interested in acquiring Wickr? New Amazon Acquisition
Amazon acquisition of Wickr comes on time as the giant is embroiled in dispute with the JEDI contract (Microsoft)
Wickr uses end-to-end encryption which means that only people on either end of a conversation can decrypt and read messages.
In February 2021, Wickr launched Global Federation. This feature that enables government entities and entreprise to communicate using end-to-end encryption with mission-critical partners outside of their network.
The giant Amazon has many interests in acquiring Wickr. Indeed, Amazon Cloud Services (AWS) could be interested in:
- offering Wickr as it is to its customers as a business service
- building “messaging-as-a-service” for other businesses to use in their apps
- adding additional features around social commerce
RELATED NEWS: AWS welcomes Wickr to the team
What is the most secure messaging app?
Headlines about security breaches and data leaks seem to pop up every few days. Every end-to-end messaging app claims to be the most secure.
Here is the list of the best encrypted messaging apps can help enterprise and startup maintain digital privacy:
1. Signal (Android, iOS: Free)
Signal is a free all-in-one messaging, voice-call and group-chat solution that uses its own end-to-end encryption.
2. Whatsapp (Android, iOS: FREE)
WhatsApp has used Signal’s end-to-end encryption protocol on all messages since 2016, and has continuously adding tweaks to the app’s security and privacy features
3. Telegram (Android, iOS: Free)
Telegram allows users link their phone number to a Telegram account to send fast and encrypted messaging over the internet. However, unlike other encrypted messaging apps, end-to-end encryption is not enabled by default on Telegram. But it can be enabled by switching to Secret Chat.
4. Viber (Android, iOS: Free)
Viber offers end-to-end encryption on all platforms. Originally developed in Israel, the app is now owned by Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten.
5. Wire (Android, iOS: Free)
Wire uses its own Proteus encryption protocol based on the Signal protocol, and its code is open-source and subject to external security audits. The mobile and web versions of the app are free, with a premium tier available for businesses.
SOURCE: AMAZON BLOG & YAHOO NEWS (via TechCrunch)