As the need for secure communications is accelerating, Amazon's AWS has acquired the encrypted messaging app Wickr for an undisclosed sum.

AWS will continue to offer Wickr services including end-to-end encrypted communications which meet certain regulatory requirements.

Wickr uses end-to-end encryption, meaning only people on either end of a conversation can decrypt each other’s messages. For additional security, the app also allows users to set their messages to self-destruct after a chosen period.

AWS will be offering Wickr services effective immediately and Wickr customers, channel, and business partners would be able to continue to use Wickr's services as they do now. The need for this type of secure communications is accelerating," said AWS vice president Stephen Schmidt.

As the organisations are moving towards hybrid work environments, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, enterprises and government agencies have a growing desire to protect their communications across many remote locations."

Wickr has touted its "military grade" encryption for business and government users, and was among the apps reportedly used to leak information from the White House during the Trump administration.

Other applications that offer encrypted communications include Facebook-owned WhatsApp, Apple’s iMessages and Foundation-powered Signals. These applications may allow people to send messages that cannot be intercepted or read by law enforcement authorities.