Microsoft Could Integrate Eavesdropping in Skype

This might be a good move for Skype. I could swear I read that is banned from use in several countries due to its potential as a tool for terrorism and anti government activities. Maybe this will open up more markets for it.

guess im going back to vent.

I can see this being very useful for corporations. They already install software to monitor internet access so they can see when their employees are on porn sites or whatever on the clock, this, combined with cell a disruptor field many places already use, will let them see when employees are wasting time on personal calls.

Why use Skype to begin with, when there are much cheaper options?



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That's EXACTLY why I didn't like MS buying Skype in the first place. Original Skype told GTFO to all attempts to intercept and even released patches which circumvented blocks in certain countries (China, if I remember it right). Now, instead we get this.

Good for you Microsoft! You've made it impossible for any competion to pull this off now! Whee!

@LetUsAdvance
He's not a troll, you appear to be the Troll.
He is correct. Several countries block access not only to skype, but to facebook and other social media due to "tool for terrorism etc"

I however don't see how this will benefit users. Its just another reason to 'give big brother more control' as some would say.

If you use Skype as a communication tool for illegal activities, you deserve to get caught.

google talk FTW!!!!!!1111oneoneone

If everyone used SIP with SRTP and TLS... that would thwart the bad people.

So now we can say that there is a possibility that video calls on Skype are now being monitored.

One more reason why I stay away from Skype.

So now it's OK to do something illegal if you patent it? I wish I could patent something like prostitution and then that would be legal and I could license it to everyone.

Of course MS already "eavesdrops" on everything you do with their web browser, if not their OS too, so this really isn't all that different. Everyone should just assume that if you do it over the internet that at least one, if not many, major tech companies know all about it and have stored the information somewhere.

MicroSpies

This couldn't get any funnier. There isn't even proof that MSFT would be integrating its patented tech into Skype and people get hyper and go all out bashing.

It is slightly worrisome but still not deal-breaking for me. If you don't have anything to hide you shouldn't be worried about it.

if you spend money designing a product with a backdoor then be prepared to redesign it constantly as hackers will discover it and exploit it.

any security with a backdoor is inherently insecure as it now relies on algorithm that cant be made truly random by salting it with a source of randomness

also wanted to add that the tool for terrorist does not work as the secure encryptions are already available

It is completely open source for encryptions such as salted AES 256 and many other encryptions.

pushing for new software to be created with backdoors will mean less security for the non criminals who use it. anyone wanting proper security can still use the strong encryption as the technology is already available.

You are wrong, this is sensationalist journalism at it's worst. I run my own telecommunications business and I was very disappointed reading this article.

The patent makes absolutely no mention of 'eavesdropping' or intrusion by external agencies. You also specifically state that the patent makes no mention of this tool being hidden.

Further, your own summary of the patent request specifically states that it is for 'recording' calls, and even goes so far as to describe the application for integration into a router / call centre / business environment.

The point of this patent is call recording which is a standard business function for businesses who may need to record internal or external conversations for legal, training, or quality assurance reasons.

This is NOT illegal if participants are informed - it is a very widely used practise and is there to protect consumers as much as businesses.

This technology is already widely used for standard analogue and digital telephony, which is why you may often hear "Calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes" when you call your electricity provider, for instance.

Microsoft is simply looking at ways of bringing this concept to a VOIP platform, which will surely be a big asset for them in the Unified Communications space in business/enterprise.

You have to imagine all the businesses that are currently using Microsoft Exchange, which may or may not have integration with their telecommunications platform via Outlook. You even mention a software deployment as part of the 'call server' on the network (normally referred to as a Unified Communications Server).

Now, imagine if Microsoft were able to leverage their Skype aquisition and patents like this to deploy an enterprise-ready VOIP solution as part of (or as an addition to) future versions of Exchange.

Now you're on the right page.

They're actually already in this market already:

http://www.microsoft.com/uc/en/gb/default.aspx

As far as I can tell, third parties already offer call recording add-ons for Lync, I'm not sure if Microsoft offer their own. So this could be a way for Microsoft to include such technology in future versions of their own software.

Definitely a nonsense article, this one.

I don't care that the government sees my data. I don't do anything wrong and I live in a democratic country where the government is trustworthy most of the time.

However, tools like Skype are vital for democratic movements in Middle-Eastern countries and China. Let's hope MS takes the high road and refuses to give them that info, but I won't count on it. MS is a corporation after all...

BRRRRNNN.... Interception!

Those who don't care about the government being able to eavesdrop , you do know that governments can change and their policies can change? We should resist government control not just because of what the current government can do but more importantly of what the future governments can do. Adolf Hitler won power with only 30% of the popular vote, remember that.

fine by me, its a good way to catch criminals and also a way to prove someone's innocence.

Well there goes the 4chan fun.