Wickr Me, the free encrypted messaging app owned by Amazon Net Companies, is shutting down on December thirty first, 2023. In a submit on its web site, Wickr says the app will cease accepting new consumer registrations on December thirty first, 2022 earlier than going away fully subsequent 12 months.
AWS acquired Wickr final 12 months and began packaging the paid model of the safe messaging app inside its choices for companies. This model of the app, Wickr AWS, isn’t going away, and neither is Wickr Enterprise. The shutdown solely impacts the consumer-facing Wickr Me, which is usually utilized by journalists, whistleblowers, and anybody trying to hold their messages away from prying eyes.
Nonetheless, current experiences recommend the app has change into an outlet for criminals, with NBC Information reporting in June that the app is “a go-to vacation spot” for individuals who need to share pictures of kid intercourse abuse. It’s additionally been implicated previously as a hub for drug sellers who’ve been pressured off the darkish net.
“After cautious consideration, we will probably be concentrating Wickr’s give attention to securing our enterprise and public sector prospects’ information and communications with AWS Wickr and Wickr Enterprise, and have determined to discontinue our client product, Wickr Me,” the submit reads. “We additionally understand that a few of our enterprise and public sector prospects use Wickr to speak with particular person customers exterior their community. We’re specializing in enabling this in AWS Wickr too.”