If you try to use the secret app Wickr Me today, you'll see a line of red text: "Reconnecting..." Below that, in white text on a black screen, the app says "We're having issues connecting to the Wickr Me network. If the problem persists, try restarting your app or contacting support."

But that won't do anything. And don't bother contacting support either. That's because on 31 December, 2023, Wickr Me, the free version of Wickr, was switched off for good.

You can't download Wickr Me on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store anymore. The app stopped taking new users more than a year ago. And now, even current users can't talk to each other.

The app never got as popular as other encrypted apps like Signal, but still had a big role in the use of and debate about secure chats -- even if it did prove that they were rather good for criminals.