A small revolution is coming in the ministries. In a circular dated 22 November, according to information from Le Point confirmed to Le Figaro, the Prime Minister asked ministers, secretaries of state, directors of cabinet and members of cabinets to install the Olvid secure messaging system on their phones and computers by 8 December "at the latest". And this, "to replace other instant messengers", such as WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal. Why was such an injunction imposed? Matignon hopes to "strengthen the security of exchanges that may contain confidential information."
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The main instant messaging applications for the general public are becoming increasingly important in our daily communications, the circular in question details. However, these digital tools are not without security vulnerabilities and thus do not ensure the security of the conversations and information shared through them." According to the same document, the company Olvid has therefore developed a messaging service. Objective? "Counter the threats that arise from the use of these applications," by "ensuring the protection of its users' data through a decentralized directory and end-to-end message encryption."
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'A step towards greater sovereignty'
Touting "a step towards greater French technological sovereignty," Matignon evokes a "real awareness in terms of cybersecurity." In addition to Olvid, ministerial offices will also be able to equip themselves with the Tchap messaging service, which has already been offered to civil servants for several years. But for now, many ministerial advisers are not even aware of this decision. Except for a few. "I've heard about it, the cabinets are slowly starting to flow," says one. Another quipped, complaining about having to "download a difficult app...
»Created in 2019 by two French cybersecurity experts, Olvid prides itself on being "the most secure instant messaging app in the world." Its innovation? The elimination of the centralized user directory, which is supposed to allow for optimal security of conversations. Available for free on Android, iPhone, and desktop, the app doesn't require a phone number.