With the glum state of cyber-security in the current scenario, Line is puckering up to bolster its security ahead of the IPO. The messaging service take a page from its competitor is flipping the switch on end-to-end encryption by default. It will be available to all global users starting tomorrow.
Line first introduced the security feature last year and dubbed it “Letter Sealing” (Japanese are funny people!). This upgrade brought with it a stronger encryption model, that is now known to all as end-to-end encryption(E2EE). And if you’re still unaware, — which isn’t possible — using E2EE secures your each message with a key which is stored on the device, instead of a centralized server. And since the decryption key is unavailable to anyone, you’re messages are now impenetrable.
In the blogpost, company announces the features saying that,
As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing privacy and security for our users, we are pleased to announce that from July, LINE is introducing “Letter Sealing (End-to-end Encryption)” as a default feature.
In addition to this, the company is also discontinuing a feature that would previously help users protect their privacy. The feature called ‘Hidden Chat’ allowed users to create 1:1 hidden chat rooms and share ephemeral messages, which disappeared once the chat ended.
But the messaging service now says that, since they are enabling E2EE by default, there is no longer a need for 1:1 ‘Hidden Chat’ rooms. The company is removing this feature, but there is still a doubt whether the ephemeral functionality will remain or not.
Line, the messaging service now has over 200 million monthly users in 200 countries. It is finally taking a step closer to standing next to the likes of WhatsApp and Messenger, who had upgraded their security recently.
The Upcoming IPO
A month ago, the messaging service ‘Line’ had announced plans to go ahead with their Initial Public Offering(IPO). But, the wow factor of the IPO is that the company will list on both Tokyo and New York stock exchanges simultaneously.
Line is expected to raise around $1 billion from both markets at a valuation of $5.5 billion. It wants to utilise the newly infused funds to work on new revenue generation schemes and expand its user base which has been declining since the rise of other chat platforms
