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Is Skype Recorded?

Concerns over whether your video or phone conversations are recorded on Skype are valid, especially for small businesses trying to keep private company information safe. It's true that Skype does record some of the information you send over the network. But company reps claim that your voice and video calls are generally safe from recording -- unless the person you're speaking with on Skype has other ideas.

Voice and Video

Skype reps stress that the Skype platform is based on direct peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture, so there is no "middle man" to record conversations between two callers. In 2012, though, Skype -- owned by Microsoft -- made an update to how it routes calls between users by incorporating the use of company-owned "supernodes." These are computers that help relay the flow of data on Skype and help users make connections. Before, the supernodes were various computers with fast Internet connections owned by Skype users. Now, though, they're computers owned by Microsoft, raising concerns about Microsoft staff potentially recording calls.


Even if a Skype conversation was intercepted by someone, the content would be indecipherable, says a Skype spokesperson. To protect the privacy of those who use Skype, the company encrypts all calls. In fact, because of such encryption, company executives say that the company could not even comply with a hypothetical wiretap request from authorities. That, they say, wouldn't be technically feasible because of Skype's P2P architecture and encryption methods. In other words, any recording of a theoretically intercepted conversation would be meaningless noise.

Instant Messages

Skype does have a setting that enables automatic recording of any instant messages you send or receive on Skype. Additionally, Skype logs all calls that are attempted, made or received and notes the duration of each call that connects. You can clear such records by accessing the "Tools" menu in Skype and then clicking "Options," then "Privacy," then "Clear History." Choose "No History" from the drop-down menu under the "Keep History For" heading to prevent future recording of such info.


Aside from what happens within Skype, anyone with whom you have a voice or video conversation could be recording the call. For example, numerous programs are available that record not only Skype calls but also Skype instant messages (see Resources). More than that, if you use Skype to make a call to someone on a landline or mobile phone, that person could record your conversation from his end, using a wiretap or recording feature on a cell phone.