14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently announced that it signed a new partnership in China with Guangming Founder (GMF) to offer Skype to local users, thus putting an end to its previous deal with TOM.
It turns out that Microsoft hasn’t only formed a new partnership, but it also tweaked Skype in such a way that it would allow the company to address censorship and wiretapping complaints.
GreatFire is reporting all user calls, chats, and login details are fully encrypted and submitted to Microsoft via a secure connection (HTTPS), thus making sure that no one can intercept private information.
At the same time, the same source is reporting that Skype, which continues to be offered to Chinese users via a local server operated by GMF, is now the sole responsibility of Microsoft, as the application is digitally signed by the Redmond-based tech giant.
What’s more, the GMF help center reveals that the new version of Skype offers end-to-end encryption, which means that all user details and conversations are fully protected, just like it happens with the other international versions of the application.
Microsoft hasn’t issued any public comments on the new version of Skype, but the company did reveal in a recent statement that it would release an updated build of the client that would address a number of complaints.
“The beta period starts today, as we migrate users and update the Skype software in China. Users in China will receive guidance on how to upgrade. The new version of Skype will be available on Windows 8.1, Desktop Classic (Mac and Windows desktop versions), Android and iOS (Phone and Tablet versions) and coming soon to Windows Phone,” Microsoft explained.
We’ve reached out to Microsoft for more information on the new Chinese version of Skype, so we’re going to update the article accordingly.