Over the weekend, Wiki Leaks released a video of Edward Snowden accepting an award by former U.S. intelligence officials in Russia. The continual presence of the former National Security Agency (News - Alert) (NSA) systems analyst in the media is keeping alive a story that many want to go away. This also brings out continued revelations by different governments around the world regarding the extent of the NSA reach in their countries. The latest disclosure comes from an investigation Luxembourg is conducting with the relationship between Skype (News - Alert) and the NSA.

The investigation is being conducted by the Luxembourg data protection commissioner over the Prism program and whether Skype was involved in providing information to the US security agency. This allegation, if true, could open more questions about Microsoft (News - Alert), the largest software vendor in the world, because it now owns Skype after a 2011 $8.5 billion purchase.

While intercepting e-mail communications can provide valuable information, the video-chatting platform Skype provides can be even more valuable to the agency if the investigation by the Luxembourg authorities pans out.

This investigation will place doubt to the claim the Skype platform is safe and free from eavesdropping. When Skype was established, one of its appeals was it provided an encrypted peer-to-peer internet connection so users could communicate without worry. By not using a centralized network like traditional phone systems, it provided a more secure alternative while encrypting the conversation, whether it was audio or video.

When it was purchased by eBay (News - Alert) in 2005 an association with a Hong Kong based company to launch a Chinese version of Skype started implementing a listening element to the platform, this according to The Guardian. This eventually led to the platform being more accessible by law enforcement agencies.

During this time Prism integrated Skype into the program so it could have access to the platform. The first order to comply by the NSA was given to Skype in 2011, and since Microsoft purchased the company the practice has continued.

Whether it is used by the NSA or hackers, the technology exists to access computers and record communications before it is encrypted. Computers by their very nature are designed to be edited, and as long an individual or organization has the technology and knowledge behind them, it is only a matter of time before they hack into a system to access the data they need.

While individual users can take measures to protect their privacy, if you are being targeted by a security agency with unlimited funds, there is little to nothing you can do about the total anonymity of your online presence.