Signal introduces encrypted video calling

Open Whisper Systems has announced the end of beta for encrypted video calls and is now introducing the functionality to Android and iOS users. Signal uses end-to-end encryption on all video calls by default.

Signal has also added a number of other new features based on user requests during the beta period. For example, peer-to-peer conversations can now be started, without the need to use Signal servers. This would limit the latency. This has been announced by Open Whisper Systems, the maker of the privacy-focused chat app.

To ensure privacy, this peer-to-peer functionality will only be available when users initiate a conversation themselves or receive a call from a known contact. Signal automatically routes an incoming call from an unknown person through Signal’s servers. In this way, the IP address and location of the users would be protected. Users can completely disable this peer-to-peer functionality in the settings.

At the end of last year it became clear that the maker of Signal has added a technology called domain fronting to the chat app. This is specifically aimed at Signal users in countries like Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, who have blocked Signal in the past. To prevent these authorities from blocking messages from users, Signal routes messages through the domains and networks of well-known major players on the Internet, such as Amazon or Google. Domain fronting makes it seem like all messages sent are a normal https request to Google’s domain. To block these messages, Google.com must also be blocked. The thinking is that that won’t happen anytime soon, allowing users in countries with repressive regimes to continue using Signal.

A month ago, the beta period for Android users started. Users could participate by indicating this via the advanced settings. According to Open Whisper Systems, a completely new telephony infrastructure has been implemented for the functionality. That would immediately ensure that the call quality, without video, improves.

Support for CallKit in iOS 10 was also tested during the testing phase. Allows users to accept incoming calls directly from the lockscreen. Requires that both the calling party and the recipient of the beta use their iOS device. Placed calls will then appear in the ‘recent calls’ list. “That also means some information syncs with iCloud,” Open Whisper Systems warned. If you have a problem with this from a privacy point of view, you can disable CallKit support.