Kim Dotcom launches end-to-end encrypted voice chat 'Skype killer'

New MegaChat promises secure, encrypted and 'private video chatting through a browser    

Kim Dotcom's encrypted file sharing service has added free end-to-end encrypted voice and video chat through the browser.

MegaChat, which promises to keep video chats secure and private, has been developed by the Mega "Conspiracy Team" and is being described as a "Skype killer" by Dotcom

"We are releasing #MegaCHat beta step by step. Starting with video calling today. Text chat & video conferencing will follow soon, said Dotcom

MegaChat does not require software beyond a web browser to operate, unlike many other similar services, although plugins for Google's Chrome and Firefox are available for "faster loading and added resilience against attacks"

'No US-based online service provider can be trusted'

The system allows users to share encrypted files having previously shared a personal decryption key with them

Dotcom claimed that "no US-based online service provider can be trusted with your data" and that "Skype has no choice. They must provide the US Government with backdoors"

Revelations from the Snowden leaks showed that Microsoft handed the US National Security Agency access to encrypted messages

MegaChat is being positioned as a secure alternative to Skype that cannot be snooped on by security services using end-to-end encryption to maintain privacy. The service is based in NewZealand

Dotcom also promised encrypted video conferencing, email and text chat would roll out at a later stage

Mega's security credentials have been questioned in the past. Passwords were stolen from the service shortly after its launch in 2013, leading security researchers to question whether Mega could live up to its security promises

To quell those fears, Dotcom launched a bounty for security flaws, offering to reward bug spotters

offering to reward bug spotters

security flaws

launched a bounty for security flaws

to quell those fears

leading security researchers to question whether Mefa could live up to its security promises

were stolen from the service shortly after its launch in 2013

Mega's security credentials have been questioned in the past

would roll out at a later stage

promised encrypted video conferencing

cannot be snooped on by security services using end-to-end encryption to maintain privacy

is being positioned as a secure alternative to Skype

Microsoft handed the US National Security Agency access to encrypted messages

revelations from the Snowden leaks

must provide the US Government with backdoors

has no choice

having previously shared a personal decryption key with them

can be trusted

added resilience against attacks

unlike many other similar services

doen not require software beyond a web browser to operate

video conferencing will follow soon

starting with video calling today

is being described as a Skype killer by Dotcom

has been developed by the Mega "Conspiracy Team"

promises to keep video chats secure and private

has added free end-to-end encrypted voice and video chat through the browser