Sunbird, an app that allows Android users to access iMessage, has temporarily shut down its service due to questions about whether users’ messages are truly end-to-end encrypted as claimed.
The messaging app, which launched in 2022 and worked through a waitlist, was marketed as a secure and private messaging solution. This included touting end-to-end encryption for messages, no data collection, and an ad-free experience.
However, a recent analysis has questioned whether Sunbird’s encryption claims hold up. The findings show that the messages may not actually be encrypted.
Researchers have reported that they have discovered that messages sent through Sunbird may not be end-to-end encrypted as advertised. Additionally, the app was found to store thousands of media files on the Firebase cloud platform.
This seems to contradict Sunbird’s stance that it does not store user data on its own servers. While you may not store data internally, sending this information to a third-party cloud provider still presents privacy concerns.
In light of these revelations, Sunbird was removed from app stores and stopped its service while it conducts an investigation. Additionally, you can also read about: WhatsApp Users Can Now Hide Locked Chats With ‘Secret Code’ Feature
The company said in a notice to users that “we have decided to pause use of Sunbird for now” and that it will provide updates when it is ready to resume service.
This comes shortly after Sunbird announced a partnership with phone company Nothing and its Nothing Chats app. Nothing Chats used Sunbird technology to offer iMessage access on Nothing devices, but was removed after just one day.
Categories: Technology
Source: vtt.edu.vn