After reports that it was testing video calling on its encrypted platform, messaging app Signal has finally released an open beta update that will enable video calling over its platform. Like the other options available on its platform, video calling is encrypted using end to end encryption as well and as such, is pretty safe.
Apart from adding video calling feature, the update is expected to improve the already available voice calling experience as well.
Signal is a pretty popular application among people who are worried about the state of their security. The application is the top choice for activists and whistleblowers and has been endorsed by Edward Snowden in the past. While features like end to end encryption make it a favorite with the folks mentioned above, it is also used by people like you and me. The app offers almost all of the functionalities offered by a normal IM service and even has GIF support. The only major difference being that it is superiorly encrypted and as such, is pretty hard to snoop.
Meanwhile, whether you are a student calling to check on your mom or James Bond spying in an enemy country, the addition of video calling to Signal should increase its usefulness for you. And just in case you are wondering, it wasn’t too difficult to make video calls secure, considering that all of Signal’s other systems were already encrypted.
As per Moxie Marlinspike, founder of Open Whisper Systems:
Real-time encryption is almost more straight forward in some ways. A call is synchronous communication that’s somewhat ephemeral which makes cryptography easier.
Meanwhile, you can check out the video calling feature by opening Signal and and enabling “video calling beta” under “advanced.” In case if it doesn’t work, try asking the person you are calling to toggle their setting to on as well. The video calling feature will work only if both the people participating in the call have video calling beta enabled.
