Here's something you've never seen on Big Tech social media platforms: Decentralized open social network Bluesky has integrated new technology from a startup called Germ network to provide end-to-end encrypted messaging (E2E) in the Bluesky app. This move makes Germ DM the first private messenger that can run natively within the Bluesky app.
In addition to the premiere, Germ is also releasing a game new guidelines this would enable other applications built on the underlying AT protocol that enables Bluesky to do the same.
This move is a notable example of how open social networking ecosystems operate differently from the Big Tech platforms that dominate the space today, because new functionalities and features can be developed by the community, not just the company itself.
Blue announced integration with Germ earlier this month, noting that the experimental integration will allow Germ users to add a button to their profile so that others can send them messages on Bluesky in an encrypted E2E environment.
Meanwhile, the standalone Germ app is also available in public beta on iOS in North America and Europe. So far, the app has had thousands of downloads, but after the official announcement of the integration, the number of daily active users increased fivefold, the team said.
California-based Germ is a startup founded by Tessa Browncommunications researcher who previously taught at Stanford University, and Mark Xuewho worked as a privacy engineer at Apple on technologies like FaceTime and iMessage. The idea, which the company previously explained to TechCrunch, was to offer an alternative to other encrypted E2E platforms like iMessage, Signal and WhatsApp, built on newer technologies.
Today, Germ uses Messaging Layer Security (MLS), a new standard approved by Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and AT protocol (or ATProto) which powers Bluesky, Skylight and a growing number of other social media applications.
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Instead of requiring a user's phone number, Germ integrates with ATProto to enable encrypted chats. This means that Germa messages cannot be decrypted by another service, including itself or Bluesky.
To use the new messenger, simply click the badge on your friend's Bluesky profile, which will open the iOS app clip – a lightweight, temporary app. You click “Open” in this app and then authenticate by logging in with your ATProto handle. You can then immediately send a message to your friend. You will also be asked to download the full Germ DM app, but this is optional.
If you want to add a badge to your profile, download the Germ DM app for iOS and authenticate your Bluesky credentials there. (Note: We had to force quit the Bluesky iOS app and restart it before the germ badge appeared.)
The company has been preparing for its official integration with Bluesky for months, starting with a private beta in August that was launched using “magic links” shared in user biographies. Now, users who have set up Germa to work in Bluesky will have a new badge displayed on their profiles, allowing them to remove the link option in their bio that they previously used. (The links will still work, but the badge will obviously be easier and more noticeable.)
Germ told TechCrunch that their startup has been in talks with the ATProto developer community, including Bluesky's application and protocol teams, since Atmosphere Conference in Seattle last year.
“We have been transparent about our planning and roadmap, and the release of our private beta in August generated valuable feedback from users and developers about our desire to replace our bio links with a native UI,” said Xue, who serves as Germ Network's chief technology officer. “Both our team and Bluesky saw value in better AppView support for Germ Link.”
The changes to the Bluesky app were led by product manager Alex Benzer, as was the company itself he wanted to experiment with the implementation of third-party services within Bluesky.
“It has been a pleasure working directly with the Bluesky team,” Brown, CEO of Germ, told TechCrunch. “They send quickly, prioritize user experience, and ensure their users have access to fully encrypted messages. We're thrilled to be the first secure messenger they've introduced natively to their app.”
While it is true that AT could eventually implement E2E encryption, that is not our focus at this time. As Bluesky protocol engineer Daniel Holmes recently explained, the company has several reasons for not designing the system itself.
“The reality is that E2EE is difficult,” he says – wrote in the blog post. “And this inherent complexity isn't something the protocol team at Bluesky can just deal with – it's passed on to any developer trying to build a client that works with encrypted data,” Holms said.
Xue agreed, adding: “We are aligned with ATProto's ethos that people should be able to communicate using the apps and tools of their choice. We believe that by solving difficult problems for ATProto users in a secure, transparent and user-friendly way, they will continue to choose us,” he said.
Shortly after Bluesky added support for the Germ badge, another one AT-based client, BlackskyI did that too.
Brown noted that the team is currently focused on delivering more messaging features on a daily basis rather than monetization. But down the road, Germ may test paid features.
“We expect our first paid features to be focused on the needs of advanced prosumer users such as creators, journalists and politicians – such as multi-handle support and AI-powered private monitoring of first messages from new connections,” she said.
