KakaoTalk adds secret chat mode

The “Secret Chat” mode introduced by KakaoTalk, Monday / Courtesy of Daum Kakao

By Kim Yoo-chul

Daum Kakao has added a secret chatting mode to KakaoTalk, the nation’s most popular messenger app, to better protect the privacy of its users.

The company has raised privacy violation concerns as it has admitted that it provided private information about users upon request from prosecutors.

"KakaoTalk introduced Secret Chat mode and Decline Invites features. Available upon updating the newest version of KakaoTalk, the new features provide users with increased options on how communications are carried out," it said in a statement.

The two updated features will initially be available on Android devices, and soon on Apple iPhones and iPads.

The new feature is activated in two ways ― via a drop down menu inside existing chats or a dedicated button that launches a new Secret Chat.

The company said the Secret Chat mode is a new type of chat room deploying end-to-end encryption on all messages exchanged within the chat room.

The Secret Chat feature will be live for "one-on-one" conversations only.

For Secret Chat mode, users can press the menu in the upper right corner of any 1:1 chat room and select it. Or, they can also open a chat room by inviting a friend using the chat bubble with the plus sign in the “Chats” tab.

When only one friend is selected from the list, users can select the mode of chat they want: Regular 1:1 Chat or Secret Chat.

"Encryption keys are stored on users' devices, which makes chat data inaccessible, even by Daum Kakao," said company spokeswoman Sonia Im.

Daum Kakao joined other leading messaging app providers such as WhatsApp to overcome the so-called "privacy storm" as it is getting more and more serious about safeguarding user data.

On Sept. 16, President Park Geun-hye said the government should crack down on those who spread groundless rumors about the sunken ferry Sewol.

Her remarks forced the prosecution to demand portal firms fully cooperate with its request to gain "real-time access" to check stored messages within KakaoTalk and other social networking systems.

Many users left Kakao and downloaded Telegram, a German-based smartphone messenger app, amid concerns over the possible breach of privacy and protection of personal information.

"KakaoTalk is aiming at global markets and this latest update will help the company add up more customers," said an industry official.

Of the country's total population of 55 million, more than 36 million use KakaoTalk, and it has more than 160 million registered users, globally.