MegaChat Kim Dotcom launches end to end encrypted audio, video chat service

| Published: Friday, January 23, 2015, 12:08 [IST]

Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom has released an encrypted chat service, called MegaChat, to compete with the Microsoft-owned Skype.

The main objective of MegaChat is that it is end-to-end encrypted. This is unlike Skype, which has in the past revealed to have allowed the NSA to monitor communications. MegaChat also does not require installing an application and can be accessed from within your web browser. It also uses Mega's file sharing feature to securely share encrypted files over the video chat.

MegaChat Kim Dotcom launches end to end encrypted audio, video chat

"Mega will soon release a fully encrypted and browser based video call & chat service including high-speed file transfers. Bye bye Skype," Dotcom quoted.

While clearly ambitious to achieve aims and targets , Mega is already somewhat behind with plans for expansion outside of its core business of encrypted file-storage. It was previously reported that Mega's chat/video product would be released to the public in the second quarter of 2014. Its encrypted email service is also yet to see the light.

Although no official announcement has been made, it's believed that the product will be called "MegaChat", a naming convention that would certainly fit with previous Dotcom projects.

For investors, potential is there. Mega currently has in excess of 15 million users and while the majority take advantage of the company's free product, upgrades become more likely as users warm to the service. The advent of additional services will also boost its appeal but the hope is they will also improve the company's bottom line.

Stay tuned to Gizbot for more updates!