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Mass surveillance was easier when anyone, including the NSA, could run a supernode. Microsoft had to run its own supernodes because usage changed from most peop
by lern_too_spel 2y ago
Mass surveillance was easier when anyone, including the NSA, could run a supernode. Microsoft had to run its own supernodes because usage changed from most people running Skype on desktops, which could be supernodes, to most people running Skype on phones, which can't. At that point, it hardly makes sense to push new supernode functionality for multiparty video calls and other optimizations to end users to handle a small fraction of calls when updating your own servers is much easier.
WebRTC will happily set up a P2P video call with better encryption than the old Skype had if all you need is a 1-1 call without NAT traversal.
- smallerfish 2y ago> if all you need is a 1-1 call without NAT traversal. That part of your sentence is doing a lot of work. It has to be as easy as clicking on a contact for oldsters.
- lern_too_spel 2y agoThat's the point. That's why Skype had supernodes, and that's why Skype on mobiles meant that Microsoft needed to run its own supernodes. At that point, you might as well add features like multiparty video calls, and then it makes no sense to have your users install supernodes software.
- Nullabillity 2y agoSkype mobile didn't matter as long as you still have a decent pool of desktop users online.