Discord recently introduced end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for voice and video communications, significantly boosting user privacy. This feature, known as the DAVE protocol, ensures that conversations remain accessible only to participants, and encryption keys are updated as users join or leave calls.
The rollout applies to direct messages, group chats, voice channels, and Go Live streams. One Discord representative commented:
The rollout applies to direct messages, group chats, voice channels, and Go Live streams. One Discord representative commented:
"We are committed to providing a safe and secure communication environment for our community, ensuring privacy without compromising functionality."
The DAVE protocol was developed after thorough testing and collaboration with cybersecurity experts. Discord released a whitepaper detailing the technical aspects of the protocol and opened the source code to the public for transparency.
The development team collaborated with Trail of Bits, a renowned cybersecurity firm, to audit the protocol's design and implementation. This external review guarantees that Discord’s encryption measures meet high security standards, giving users peace of mind when engaging in private conversations.
The development team collaborated with Trail of Bits, a renowned cybersecurity firm, to audit the protocol's design and implementation. This external review guarantees that Discord’s encryption measures meet high security standards, giving users peace of mind when engaging in private conversations.
E2EE operates by encrypting each frame of video and audio with a unique key shared only among participants. Even Discord itself cannot access these encryption keys, ensuring that the platform has no visibility into users' conversations. The encryption keys change dynamically whenever new members join or leave a call, adding an extra layer of protection. This feature is available across desktop and mobile versions, with broader platform support planned for the future.
One of the key features of E2EE is its seamless integration, maintaining Discord’s high-quality voice and video performance while introducing enhanced security.
"We’re excited to offer this level of security without compromising on the user experience," the representative said.
Users can now confirm when a call is encrypted through a verification process that ensures all members are properly authenticated.
Discord's DAVE protocol aims to support all calls, regardless of participant size, without downgrading to transport-only encryption due to scale. Additionally, the protocol is built to remain transparent to users, with no need to manage identity keys or handle complex security processes. The goal is to provide secure communications effortlessly, making E2EE the default for most voice and video communications on the platform.
This new feature underscores Discord's ongoing effort to prioritize user privacy and security while maintaining seamless communication across the platform.