Social network Bluesky has integrated technology from startup Germ Network, introducing end-to-end encrypted (E2E) messaging directly within the Bluesky app. This makes Germ DM the first private messenger to be seamlessly launched from the platform.
The collaboration with Germ showcases how open social networking ecosystems can innovate through community-driven development. By leveraging the AT Protocol that underpins Bluesky, Germ has paved the way for other apps within the ecosystem to offer similar secure messaging capabilities.
Germ’s standalone app, currently in public beta on iOS in North America and Europe, has seen a surge in daily active users following the integration announcement, underscoring the demand for privacy-focused communication tools.
Founded by communication scholar Tessa Brown and former Apple privacy engineer Mark Xue, Germ aims to provide an E2E encrypted messaging platform built on cutting-edge technologies like Messaging Layer Security (MLS) and the AT Protocol, setting it apart from established encrypted messaging services.
The partnership between Bluesky and Germ enhances user privacy on the social network and exemplifies a collaborative effort to advance secure communication standards in the digital landscape.
Source: TechCrunch