OREANDA-NEWS. August 27, 2014. Deutsche Post has launched a free messaging service. With the “SIMSme” app, customers can securely send text messages, photos, videos, and contact and location information. The distinguishing feature of SIMSme is its high level of data protection.

All messages are automatically encrypted by the sender and can only be decrypted by the recipient. This so-called end-to-end encryption makes eavesdropping by third parties impossible. All data are stored only on servers in Germany, and messages are deleted from the servers after delivery to the recipient.

Whereas the terms of service of other messaging services call for the customer’s consent that all content – including photos – can be distributed without limitation in any media format and by any means, SIMSme users retain their rights. Users who want to send particularly sensitive messages can equip SIMSme with an extra self-destruction feature for 0.89 euros. This feature can be used as needed for all messages, providing another layer of security for those users who do not want their data and photos to be permanently visible in the Internet.

The new SIMSme app is available now as a free download for Apple iPhones and Android smartphones in the respective stores. Users can register with SIMSme only with their own cell phone numbers. Deutsche Post needs the numbers for account verification and for encrypted comparison with other contacts from the local phone book because this is how the customer can find out which contacts from his phone book also use SIMSme so that he can communicate securely with them. If a recipient is not yet registered with SIMSme, the user can invite him to register directly from the app via text message, Facebook or e-mail.

“For over 500 years, Deutsche Post has been entrusted with the secure and confidential delivery of information. Now this also applies for the popular instant messages between smartphones. We guarantee the highest level of data privacy according to strict German laws, without requiring any extra effort on the part of the user. We provide SIMSme free of charge and do not use the service for advertising purposes as other services do,” said Marco Hauprich, Senior Vice President Mobile & New Media at Deutsche Post.

SIMSme has undergone comprehensive testing by mediaTest digital in cooperation with TUViT (TUV Nord Group) and has been designated as a “Trusted App”.

The use of SIMSme  as a secure but paid communications tool for businesses is a possible future development.