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Microsoft Won't Say If Skype Is Secure Or Not. Time To Change?
jetcityorange writes "When asked repeatedly a Microsoft spokesperson refused to confirm or deny that Skype conversations [could be monitored]. Microsoft was granted a patent a month after purchasing Skype that covers 'legal intercept' technology designed to be used with VOIP services. Is it time to consider more secure alternatives like Jitsi like Tor's Jacob Appelbaum suggests?"
Probably wasting my time asking, but why was I modded down for this comment? The lack of proper peer review has always been why I've not recommended Skype for any situation where privacy is important.
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Can you confirm for me your heterosexuality? If you cannot prove then I shall have to assume the worst.
You have to be very careful about the use of "neither confirm nor deny" because there are people with agenda's of their own who want to throw mud. They will want to sow doubt about the security of Skype so will take "neither confirm nor deny" as an admission of no security.
What if they had said "no comment" in response to the question? Would you then also assume that by making no comment, they were confirming that it was insecure?
I hope your idea of confirming guilt by remaining silent doesn't catch on in law enforcement. Perhaps (I assume you are from the US) you should do away with the fifth?
It is VERY common policy everywhere to respond with ambiguity (or not at all) when asked about security related subjects. Why give anything away? Just because you ask, does not mean they are obliged to answer.