| Developer(s) | Wickr Inc. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial release | June 2012 | ||||||
| Stable release |
| ||||||
| Operating system | iOS, Android, desktop | ||||||
| Type | Instant Messaging | ||||||
| License | Proprietary | ||||||
| Website | wickr |
Wickr is an American software company based in San Francisco.[8] The company is best known for its instant messenger application of the same name.
The Wickr instant messaging app allows users to exchange end-to-end encrypted and self-destructing messages, including photos, videos, and file attachments.[9] The software is available for the iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems.
Founding and people
editWickr was founded in 2012 by a group of security experts and privacy advocates.[9] Nico Sell served as the company's CEO until May 2015 when she became the co-chairman of Wickr and CEO of Wickr Foundation, the newly-launched nonprofit whose seed funding was provided by the company.[10] Mark Fields, who previously led CME's Strategic Investment Group, became the company’s CEO.[11]
Operation
editInitially unveiled on iOS and later on Android, the Wickr app allows users to set an expiration time for their encrypted communications.[12] In December 2014, Wickr released a desktop version of its secure communications platform. The release of the desktop Wickr app coincided with introducing the ability to sync messages across multiple devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and computers.[13]
All communications on Wickr are encrypted locally on each device with a new key generated for each new message, meaning that no one except Wickr users have the keys to decipher their content. In addition to encrypting user data and conversations, Wickr strips metadata from all content transmitted through the network. [14]
Since its launch, Wickr has gone through regular security audits by prominent information security organizations, which verified Wickr's code, security and policies.[15] Wickr has also launched a "bug bounty program" that offers a reward to hackers who can find a vulnerability in the app.[16]
Funding
editIn March 2014, Wickr announced its Series A funding round of $9 million led by Gilman Louie of Alsop Louie Partners. The series also included investments from Juniper Networks and the Knight Foundation.[17]
In June 2014, Wickr announced its Series B funding round of $30 million led by Breyer Capital, including CME Group and Wargaming.[18]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/wickr-inc/wickr/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Wickr Pro - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
- ^ "Wickr Me – Private Messenger - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ https://apps.apple.com/app/wickr-me-private-messenger/id528962154.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Wickr Pro". App Store. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Wickr Me - Private Messenger". App Store. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ https://me-download.wickr.com/#/version/me.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ MacMillan, Douglas (June 25, 2014). "A startup looks for business in secrecy". Wall Street Journal.
- ^ a b Perlroth, Nicole (June 27, 2012). "An app that encrypts, shreds, hashes and salts". New York Times.
- ^ Lunden, Ingrid (May 6, 2015). "Encrypted Chat App Wickr Creates New Non-Profit Arm". TechCrunch.
- ^ Perlroth, Nicole (May 6, 2015). "Wickr adds a new chief executive and a nonprofit". New York Times.
- ^ Sier, Jessica (May 29, 2015). "Apps to keep your messages secret in the data retention age". Australian Financial Review.
- ^ Scharr, Jill (December 4, 2014). "Wickr launches desktop private messaging application". TechCrunch.
- ^ Thompson, Cadie (February 6, 2014). "Snapchat rival hopes to pounce on security breach". CNBC.
- ^ Franceschi Bicchiera, Lorenzo (March 4, 2013). "Can the snapshot for grownups save you from spies?". Mashable.
- ^ Kirk, Jeremy (January 15, 2014). "Encrypted messaging startup Wickr offers 100k bug bounty". PC World.
- ^ Fried, Ina (March 3, 2014). "Wickr secures $9 million to fund its privacy-focused messaging service". Recode.
- ^ Finkle, Jim (June 26, 2014). "Wickr raises $30 million; investors include CME Group, Wargaming". Reuters.