Signal Adds Support for Encrypted Group Video Calls
The free and open-source encrypted messaging app Signal has added support to its app for group video calls for up to five people. Now the group call can be started by tapping on the video call button located at the top of a supported group chat. The company said that calls on the app are end-to-end encrypted — like everything else on Signal. The app has the default feature of showing the group video call participants in a grid format, but you can swipe up to get a view2 that focuses well on individual speakers.
The app has a five-person limit on its group video call and unlike Zoom, it is not going to replace its video conferencing services. However, the company said that it is working to increase the maximum number of call participants that will be effective in the coming times. It further specified that group video calls are available in the service’s iOS and Android apps, but are limited to new-style Signal group chats as of now. It will not appear in older, legacy chats. Signal had launched its new group chats in October this year and had added support for @mentions, group admins, and more granular permissions. The company also said that the older legacy chats will soon be upgraded to the new chat-style in the coming weeks.
The Signal app will show you a video call button at the top. So the next time you start a call, the group will receive a notification letting them know a call has started. On the other hand, when you start or join a group call, the app will showcase the participants in a grid view. By swiping up, you will be allowed to focus on the speaker, and Signal will automatically update in real-time as the speaker changes.
Recommended Read: Tinder Rolls Out “Face To Face” Video Calling Feature For Enhancing Its Users’ Dating experience
The company also shed some light on the design and creation of the app. Stating the same, the company said that many of its features are designed with Signal Private Groups as a foundation along with the use of RingRTC library for handling frame encryption. Signal Group Calls are one of those significant features rolled out by the app. The company asked its users to update their Signal apps to avail of the latest version including the feature of free group calls. These group calls are only supported in new style Signal groups and not the older versions. If you are still using the legacy groups, you will not see the call button. However, your legacy Signal groups will start automatically updating to New Groups in the coming weeks based on the latest updates rolled out by the company. Currently, group video calls are limited to 5 participants only, but the company is working to allow users to have more participants within a group call and help connect better.
