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Germ Brings End-to-End Encryption to Bluesky DMs

Germ is rolling out beta support for end-to-end encrypted direct messages on the Bluesky network. Built on the AT Protocol and IETF’s new MLS standard, Germ lets users chat securely without relying on phone numbers. A magic link and Apple App Clips enable instant, private chats—with granular controls for blocking and DM permissions.

Published July 30, 2025 at 03:08 PM EDT in Cybersecurity

A new startup called Germ is bringing end-to-end encrypted messaging to the Bluesky social network, offering users a stronger privacy option than the platform’s existing DMs. After two years of development, Germ is launching its encrypted chat service into beta this week, gradually onboarding testers ahead of a wider release.

Encrypted Messaging for Bluesky Users

Germ leverages the new Messaging Layer Security (MLS) standard approved by the IETF and Bluesky’s AT Protocol to secure conversations without relying on phone numbers. Instead, users generate a unique “magic link” they paste into their Bluesky bio. Anyone clicking that link on iOS can start an encrypted chat instantly via an App Clip—no full app install required.

  • Phone-number-free authentication integrated with AT Protocol identities
  • Granular DM controls: accept messages only from followers or yourself-initiation
  • Cross-app blocking across Bluesky, Flashes, Skylight, and other ATProto apps

Behind Germ are co-founders Tessa Brown, a Stanford communications scholar, and Mark Xue, a former Apple privacy engineer. Brown’s research highlighted how private messaging underpins healthy social networks, while Xue saw phone-based authentication as outdated. Together, they built a protocol that can scale across the open social web.

Seamless Onboarding and Future Outlook

Using Apple App Clips, Germ lets new users start a secure chat without an App Store download. Once ready, users can install the full iOS app for advanced settings—paired with their Bluesky handle—for richer controls and friend lists. While still in beta, Germ aims to convince Bluesky and other platforms to adopt its open-source protocol natively.

Looking ahead, Germ may introduce a premium tier offering private AI analysis, personalization, and enterprise features. The four-person team has pre-seed backing from MLS contributors, trust and safety experts, and investors like Mozilla Ventures. An Android client is on the roadmap as Germ scales.

In an era of constant scrutiny on social platforms, encrypted DMs could become table stakes for user trust. What does this shift mean for other networks? For developers and organizations exploring secure messaging, a modular, protocol-driven approach—much like Germ’s—can pave the way to stronger privacy guarantees. QuarkyByte’s analysts specialize in mapping these standards to real-world architectures, helping teams deliver robust, future-proof solutions that users can trust.

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