Skype End-To-End Encrypted Private Chats Now Available For All Users

In January, Microsoft launched a new feature called Private Conversations that offers end-to-end encryption for helping keep data secure. That feature was only available to Insiders at the time, but Microsoft has now released an update that brings the encrypted chats to all users. The update is now live for desktop, Android, and iOS.

As Microsoft previously revealed, it partnered with Signal to add Private Conversations to Skype. With this, users can start an encrypted conversation with other users, giving them an option that has been requested for many months. A similar feature is already available in Messenger, WhatsApp, and encryption-based messaging apps.

To use the feature, Skype users must create a new conversation by choosing "New Private Conversation." The recipient is sent an invitation to engage in a private conversation with another user — they must accept the invite within seven days or it will expire.

Both calls and messages are available as private conversations. As with other encrypted messaging apps, the conversation is limited to the device where it was created; though encrypted chats can be started on another device, the existing messages won't be available on it.