Skype security weaknesses could endanger 'vulnerable users'

Users of free internet phone service 'exposed to interception, impersonation and surveillance', warns Privacy International

The free messaging

The free messaging and internet phone service Skype carries a number of worrying security concerns which could put users living in oppressive regimes in danger, says the advocacy group Privacy International.

The free internet telephony service has around 700m users worldwide, including for the time being 20m in China and an unknown number in Middle Eastern countries.

The company cannot address

"If the company cannot address and resolve these issues for those who are seeking secure communications, at the time vulnerable users will continue to be exposed to avoidable risks," Privacy International's human rights and research adviser Eric King said. "Skype's misleading security assurances continue to expose users around the world to unnecessary and dangerous risk. It's time for Skype to own up to the reality of its security and to take a leadership position in global communications."

Skype's system offers free peer-to-peer voice-over-internet calling, in which calls are encrypted between the two ends using a proprietary system. Skype has refused to produce methods that would let other Voice over Internet Protocol companies hook into its system and does not use standard VOIP protocols. It made around $860m in earnings from call charges to landline and other phones last year.