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Q: Is it true the Skype download in China has a "listen-in" feature hidden?
I heard if you download skype from China, the file has a built-in feature allowing the internet police to listen in on your conversations. Is that true?
12 years 13 weeks ago in Web & Technology - China
Why not they monitor everything else
It is commonly known that if you mention or that you work for certain organizations
you will be on a data base somewhere in China
so don't say anything that you wouldn't want people to know
which is surprising they block face book due to the vast amount of dumb things people
post about themselves
Yes.
In China skype.com redirects you to something called tom skype or something similar.
Download Skype from CNET or another mirror (see below) to avoid this.
Skype has build in encryption so they cannot monitor normal Skype, which is why they redirect to their own version.
An alternative download link: http://download.cnet.com/Skype/3000-2349_4-10225260.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody;1d
chened123:
Sorry don't mean to ask a question in the answers but
Does that mean that if I run the Non-chinese skype, they can't listen in?
mikael84:
No.
It is possible to change normal Skype to Chinese language and it is possible to change TOM-Skype to English language.
If you have the client from skype.tom.com then they can listen.
chened123:
Sorry I wasn't very clear but I'm running the Non-Tom one, is that still secure even in China?
Skype always has a surveillance backdoor now. The difference is who is allowed to eavesdrop. Chinese authorities have official access to the Tomtom version of Skype only.
Keep in mind that it is enough if one participant in a conversation uses Tomtom.
the_horror:
http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Speculation-over-back-door-in-Skype-736607.html
Evidence from monitored Skype conversations has been used in European courts cases already.
BTW, there are many statements on this site that would really deserve the Wikipedian protest ('citation needed!')
if they try to monitor my call i bet they will never understand what am i saying and they will never find a translator to translate what i am saying ,
Also found that old article about Skype in China (while taking on the Wikipedian challenge of mikael84):
Nobody is listening nor reading, it would take an army of employees to listen to all this traffic out there..
This is is how it is done.. there are written scripts (very sophisticated) looking for key words and phrases..the more of key fords in one message or conversation then this this particular conversation and/or message is bumbed up to watch "officer" who makes quick decision if it should be further bumbed up...
The same principle is applies to ALL mobile conversations, especially international ones.
years ago RIM Blackberry was snatched by business because of secure connections and "safe" email, and documents transfers.Oh don't forget BB Messanger.
Not anymore..RIM made a cozy deals with few countries..
Why there is new BB server in Indonesia? not to improve BB connections.. All internet providers in Indo sucks..but BB server is now there..mhhh talking about priorities.
Same Middle East.
I have news for you,..You worry about China..How about Facebook or Twitter in US?
Same principle and they are doing it...And anyone who signed up to FB gave them permission to do so..just read TOS in the fine print...and you are worrying where you downloaded your skype? just go with the flow.
You better worry where you bought your computer.
This is an article that came to my inbox few months back.(subscription)
http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/netsecur/is-china-putting-backdoors-into-networking-gear.html
