Viber goes WhatsApp, Apple way; encrypts user messages

Days after WhatsApp introduced the long-awaited end-to-end encryption to all users, Viber, an instant messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) app for smartphones, has also decided to encrypt user messages to protect texts and calls from 'interception'.

"Our team at Viber has been working hard to give you more control over your private conversations. Today we are taking another step in this direction by making your private communication even safer through end-to-end encryption, hidden chats and message deletion," Viber COO Michael Shmilov said in a blog post.

"We are rolling this out globally over the next two weeks, and you'll see a grey padlock to confirm you are secured. Additionally, we've ensured each user has an individual cryptography key associated with his or her device, allowing you to benefit from an added layer of security," Shmilov added.

Viber is an instant messaging app for smartphones developed by Viber Media. In addition to instant messaging, users can send images, video, and audio media messages. The client software is available for Apple iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry OS, Nokia Series 40, Symbian, Bada, Mac OS, and Microsoft Windows.

-With agency inputs