Amazon's AWS acquires encrypted messaging service Wickr, says it will continue operating the service and offer it to AWS customers
Amazon's cloud services giant Amazon Web Services (AWS) is getting into the encrypted messaging business. The company has just announced …
TechCrunch
Context & Ripple Effects
Wickr had previously extended its encrypted communications reach through a partnership with Psiphon designed to bypass internet blocks. AWS had also explored bundling WorkMail, WorkDocs and Chime into a productivity offering, so adding Wickr places secure messaging within a longer-running effort to broaden what AWS can provide beyond core cloud services.
The acquisition preserves Wickr as a service while making it available to AWS customers, rather than treating the product solely as an acqui-hire or immediate shutdown candidate.
First-order effects
Wickr remains in operation under AWS ownership, while AWS customers gain access to an encrypted messaging service through their cloud provider.
AWS adds a secure-communications product to a portfolio it had previously considered expanding with a bundled productivity suite.
Second-order effects
AWS can position messaging alongside its existing workplace-oriented products, increasing the value of a broader AWS relationship for organizations seeking collaboration tools.
Wickr's existing users and partners must now work with an AWS-owned service, whose customer focus includes AWS accounts rather than only the standalone app's prior channels.
Third-order effects
The deal points toward cloud providers competing for workplace workflows as well as infrastructure, with communications tools becoming part of the account-level platform relationship.
If AWS follows through on broader productivity bundling, independently sold messaging products face a market in which secure communications are increasingly packaged with cloud services.
The trend: Enterprise cloud platforms are widening from infrastructure into integrated workplace and communications services, with security features becoming part of the bundle.
Amazon just acquired the popular encrypted chat app Wickr. Curious to see what users think of this. App is used by journalists, hackers, and people who care about privacy in general. I can't imagine they will be thrilled. https://www.vice.com/...
Another thread in Amazon's ever-expanding web. A really smart acquisition and one that is immediately complementary to AWS's offering. https://techcrunch.com/...
🎶You watch the world exploding every single night Dancing in the sun, a newborn in the light I wonder how they're gonna try to market it this time? “You should go try Wickr man; at least it isn't Chime” 🎵 https://twitter.com/...
We are pleased to share that Wickr has been acquired by Amazon and is now part of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) team. From our founding ten years ago, we have grown to serve organizations across a wide range of industries, all over the world. Read more: https://aws.amazon.com/...
Weird segue but: AWS has acquired encrypted messaging app Wickr to boost its enterprise offerings for companies that want more secure communications during hybrid work. https://aws.amazon.com/...
Amazon Acquires Encrypted Messaging App Wickr Wickr is a popular encrypted messaging platform used by journalists, criminals, governments, and businesses. H/T @amys_here https://www.vice.com/...
Why is Amazon acquiring an encrypted messaging app? Why is Amazon doing this at a time Govts around the world want access to encrypted messaging for law enforcement purposes? https://twitter.com/...
Wickr is very big in the government and military space. Here, we reported that Customs and Border Protection had paid Wickr $700,000. This isn't really a chat app; more an encrypted comms platform https://www.vice.com/...
Have been waiting to see what Amazon's move in messaging would be... for years. Here it is (in a cobyline with our new security writer Carly). tip @Techmeme https://twitter.com/...