Skype and Microsoft recently came under fire for not providing users with clarity as to whether the video chat service could be used by law enforcement for wiretapping of conversations.
Questions were raised when some commentators claimed a change in Skype's technology allowed for the interception of calls. Microsoft initially responded without specifically confirming or denying the service could be wiretapped, saying only that Skype "co-operates with law enforcement agencies as much as legally and technically possible”.
Skype chief development and operations officer, Mark Gillett, wrote in an official blog post last week: “Some media stories recently have suggested Skype may be acting improperly or based on ulterior motives against our users' interests. Nothing could be more contrary to the Skype philosophy.”
Gillett goes on to respond to each of the allegations in turn. “It has been suggested that Skype made changes in its architecture at the behest of Microsoft in order to provide law enforcement with greater access to our users' communications,” wrote Gillett, adding that this was “false”.
“Skype's architecture decisions are based on our desire to provide the best possible product to our users. Skype was in the process of developing and moving supernodes to cloud servers significantly ahead of the Microsoft acquisition of Skype.
Gillett added that suggestions that Skype has recently changed its posture and policies with regard to law enforcement were also completely false. “The enhancements we have been making to our software and infrastructure have been to improve user experience and reliability. Period.
“The move to supernodes was not intended to facilitate greater law enforcement access to our users' communications. Skype has had a team of Skype employees to respond to legal demands and requests from law enforcement since 2005.
“While we are focused on building the best possible products and experiences for our users, we also fundamentally believe that making a great product experience also means we must act responsibly and make it safe for everyone to use. Our position has always been that when a law enforcement entity follows the appropriate procedures, we respond where legally required and technically feasible.”
Skype reportedly stores users' personal information in its system for 30 days. It has, however, been noted that investigators were able to gain access to five years' worth of online conversations between Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom and his colleagues, without Skype's help.
Responding to claims that Skype has stopped protecting users' communications, Gillett says this is false and Skype software autonomously applies encryption to Skype to Skype calls. “This has not changed. The China-only version of the Skype software provided locally through our joint-venture partner tom.com contains a chat filter in accordance with local law.”
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