By Adedapo Adesanya
Amazon has announced the purchase of the encrypted messaging app, Wickr, which offers secure communications for businesses, government agencies and individuals, in an undisclosed deal.
In a statement, Amazon said it would incorporate Wickr in its Amazon Web Services (AWS) division, which offers cloud computing and other services. The announcement comes as the service looks to pick up more government business.
With the acquirement, AWS will continue to offer Wickr services, including end-to-end encrypted communications which meet certain regulatory requirements.
Speaking on the deal, the Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer for AWS, Mr Stephen Schmidt, said the need for secure communications services like those offered by Wickr has accelerated as the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many to adopt hybrid work environments.
“The need for this type of secure communications is accelerating. With the move to hybrid work environments, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, enterprises and government agencies have a growing desire to protect their communications across many remote locations.
“Wickr’s secure communications solutions help enterprises and government organizations adapt to this change in their workforces and is a welcome addition to the growing set of collaboration and productivity services that AWS offers customers and partners,” Mr Schmidt said.
Wickr offers an app that’s free to the public, along with a paid service geared toward supporting military communications. It boasts military-like encryption for business and government users and was among the apps reportedly used to leak information from the White House during the Donald Trump administration.
Other apps offering encrypted communications include Facebook-owned WhatsApp, Apple’s iMessage and foundation-operated Signal.
These apps can allow people to send messages which cannot be intercepted or read by law enforcement authorities.
Business Post had reported that Amazon bought Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) Studios for $8.45 billion as it seeks to strengthen its hold on the film industry, particularly in streaming and distribution.
Aduragbemi Omiyale