SKYPE WOES!

[dude]

I have had it with SKYPE!

Since Microsoft acquired SKYPE, the communications system has been on a steady downhill slide. Now – the latest version of SKYPE – has apparently removed the privacy protections and today I got about two dozen solicitations from ‘female’ SKYPE users this with all my privacy setting set at max.

This has been a subject of continuing complaints on SKYPE’s own user forums but has been consistently ignored by SKYPE.

http://community.skype.com/t5/Security-Privacy-Trust-and/Unwanted-Contact-Requests/td-p/3013210

Since John (AlienSon) our Design Editor and I often need to communicate by IM we have been using SKYPE. As Microsoft – the world’s greediest marketer – intends to do nothing about this we need a secure method of IM communications.

Can anyone suggest a system that is secure and spam-free, even if it requires a reasonable annual fee?

Thanks, gang!

Mike

[Rutabaga]

If you need video, Apple's FaceTime works well. I'm not sure if it works outside of iPhones. I've also used Yahoo Messenger with some success. I would expect that Google has something as well (Google Hangout?).

R

[DesDownunder]

I only use Skype for three people, but I haven't set any privacy settings. Whilst I agree with things getting worse under Microsoft, I haven't suffered the problems you have encountered, Mike. If you like we could compare settings if you have the time...

As for other programs I haven't been able to find anything else that offers any better.

[Rutabaga]

I just tried Google Hangouts very briefly and it seems like it would work as a substitute.

R

[Camy]

Yes, Google Hangouts is good.