A startup called Germ has become the first private messenger to run directly from the Bluesky app

Here’s something you’ve never seen before on Big Tech’s social media platforms: The open, decentralized social network Bluesky has integrated new technology from a startup called Microbial network In order to deliver end-to-end encrypted (E2E) messages to the Bluesky application. The move makes Germ DM the first private messenger that can be launched natively within the Bluesky app.

Along with the launch, Germ is also launching New directives This would allow other applications built on the underlying AT protocol that enables Bluesky to do the same thing.

The move is a prime example of how open social networking ecosystems work differently from the big tech platforms that dominate the space today, where new functionality and features can be developed by the community, not just by the company itself.

Bluesky Announce Integrated with Germ earlier this month, noting that the beta integration will allow Germ users to add a button to their profile so others can message them on Bluesky in an E2E encrypted environment.

Meanwhile, the standalone Germ app is also available in public beta on iOS in North America and Europe. The team said that this app has seen thousands of downloads so far, but after the official integration announcement, the number of daily active users jumped 5-fold.

California-based Germ is a startup I founded Tessa browna communications researcher who previously taught at Stanford University, and Mark Xuewho worked as a privacy engineer at Apple on technologies like FaceTime and iMessage. The idea, which the company previously explained to TechCrunch, was to offer an alternative to other encrypted E2E platforms like iMessage, Signal, and WhatsApp that are built on newer technologies.

Today, Germ leverages Messaging Layer Security (MLS), a new standard adopted by Germ Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and AT protocol (or ATProto), which powers Bluesky, Skylight, and a growing number of other social apps.

Instead of asking for the user’s phone number, Germ integrates with ATProto to enable its encrypted conversations. This means that Germ messages cannot be decrypted by another service, including itself or Bluesky.

To use the new messenger, simply tap the badge on your friend’s Bluesky profile, which opens the iOS app clip – a temporary, lightweight app. You can click Open in this app experience and then authenticate by logging in with your ATProto handle. You can then send a message to a friend instantly. You will also be prompted to download the full Germ DM app, but this is optional.

If you want to add the badge to your profile, you’ll download the Germ DM app on iOS and authenticate your Bluesky credentials there. (Note: We had to force quit and restart the Bluesky iOS app before the germ badge appeared.)

The company has been preparing for the official Bluesky integration for months, starting with a private beta in August, which was launched using “magic links” shared in users’ bios. Now, users who set up Germ to work within Bluesky will have a new badge displayed on their profile, allowing them to remove the link in bio option they were using before. (The links will still work, but the badge is easier and clearer, of course.)

Germ told TechCrunch that his startup has been in conversation with ATProto’s developer community, including Bluesky’s application and protocol teams, since Atmospheric conference in Seattle last year.

“We’ve been transparent about our planning and roadmap, and shipping our beta in August generated valuable feedback from users and developers about the desire to replace our links in the bios with a native UI,” said Xue, who serves as CTO at Germ Network. “Both our team and Bluesky’s saw value in AppView’s better support for the germ link.”

Changes to the Bluesky app were led by head of product Alex Benzer, as was the company It seemed like an experiment With third party services implemented within Bluesky.

“It has been a pleasure working directly with the Bluesky team,” Germ CEO Brown told TechCrunch. “They ship fast, prioritize user experience, and care about their users’ access to end-to-end encrypted messaging. We’re thrilled to be the first secure messenger they’ve built natively into their app.”

While it is true that the AT protocol could eventually implement E2E encryption, that is not the focus today. As Bluesky protocol engineer Daniel Holmes recently explained, the company had several reasons for not designing the system itself.

“The truth is, E2EE is hard.” he wrote in a blog post. “And this inherent complexity is not something the protocol team at Bluesky can handle — it’s being pushed onto every developer trying to build a client that works with encrypted data,” Holmes said.

Xue agreed, adding: “We align with ATProto’s ethos that people should be able to communicate using the apps and tools they choose. We believe that by solving ATProto users’ tough problems in ways that are secure, transparent, and easy to use, they will continue to choose us.”

Shortly after Bluesky added support for the germs badge, another Protocol-based AT client, BlackskyI did as well.

Brown noted that the team is currently focused on providing more daily messaging features, not on monetization. But in the future, Germ may test paid features.

“We expect our first paid features to focus on the needs of power users such as creators, journalists and politicians – for example, support for multiple handles and AI-powered private screening of first messages from new connections,” she said.