Discord Expands Security with End-to-End Encryption for Calls

Discord, a widely used group chat platform, announced on Tuesday its implementation of end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for audio and video calls. This means that even Discord itself will not have access to the content of these calls, further enhancing user privacy and security.

• E2EE, a technology increasingly adopted by messaging apps, ensures that only the participants in a call can access its content.
• Discord's move follows the trend set by other platforms like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Signal, which have successfully implemented E2EE for their messaging services.

Discord's Focus on Security and Privacy

The platform, initially recognized for its gaming-focused community, has grown to become a popular choice for various communication needs. With E2EE for calls, Discord aims to strengthen its position as a reliable and secure platform for users.

• Discord has reported a user base of 200 million monthly users, highlighting the platform's significant reach.
• The implementation of E2EE for calls underscores Discord's commitment to enhancing user security and privacy.

E2EE Implementation for Discord Calls

The E2EE rollout will begin with calls in direct messages, group DMs, voice channels, and Go Live streams. Discord is implementing the technology, dubbed "Dave," with a focus on user transparency and verification.

• Users will be able to confirm when calls are end-to-end encrypted.
• Users can also verify the identities of other participants in calls.

Discord's Continued Focus on Security

While Discord is making significant strides in security with E2EE for calls, the platform has stated that it will not be implementing E2EE for direct messages or group chats at this time. Discord emphasizes its commitment to content moderation and safety, which requires access to message content.

• Discord's approach to content moderation ensures a safe and secure environment for all users.
• The company has publicly shared its content moderation policies and approach.

Transparency and Open Source

Discord, in a demonstration of its commitment to transparency and openness, has published a paper detailing its encryption protocol. The protocol, reviewed by cybersecurity experts at Trail of Bits, has also been made open source for public scrutiny and collaboration.

• The open source nature of Discord's encryption protocol allows for independent verification and improvement.
• This transparency demonstrates Discord's dedication to promoting secure communication practices within its platform.