Discord has joined WhatsApp, Signal and other popular messaging apps by introducing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for audio and video calls within the platform. Now even Discord itself will not be able to access the content of user conversations during calls, TechCrunch reports.
Image source: Alexander Shatov/Unsplash
End-to-end encryption, which was a rarity just 10 years ago, has now become standard in many popular messaging apps such as iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal and Facebook✴ Messenger. Discord, originally created as a platform for gamers to communicate during online games, has over time turned into a popular meeting place for a wide variety of user groups, and the issue of confidentiality of communication has naturally arisen.
With 200 million monthly active users, Discord last year announced work on introducing end-to-end encryption for audio and video calls. Now the technology is finally available. “Today we are starting to migrate voice and video calls in private messages, group chats, voice channels and Go Live streams to use E2EE. You can personally verify that your calls are protected by end-to-end encryption,” Stephen Birarda, Discord engineer responsible for audio and video infrastructure, wrote in a blog post.
At the same time, Birarda noted that text messages on Discord will not yet be encrypted using E2EE, as this is “inextricably linked to the company’s security policy.” While audio and video will be protected by end-to-end encryption, text messages on Discord will continue to be processed in accordance with the platform’s approach to content moderation. Discord spokesperson Kelly Slone also told TechCrunch that the company does not yet have plans to introduce encryption in personal or group chats.
The E2EE protocol document is published on GitHub and endorsed by cybersecurity consulting firm Trail of Bits. The source code of the protocol is also open.