ZRTP
ZRTP (Zimmermann Real-time Transport Protocol) is a cryptographic key-agreement protocol used to establish secure real-time communication sessions, such as voice and video calls over IP networks. It provides end-to-end encryption for media streams by negotiating session keys directly between endpoints, without relying on a central server for key distribution. ZRTP is commonly integrated into VoIP and video conferencing applications to ensure privacy and prevent eavesdropping.
Developers should learn and use ZRTP when building secure real-time communication systems, such as encrypted VoIP apps, video conferencing tools, or messaging platforms with voice/video features, to protect user privacy against interception. It is particularly valuable in scenarios requiring strong end-to-end encryption without trust in intermediate servers, such as in privacy-focused applications or compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR. For example, it is used in open-source projects like Signal and Jitsi Meet to secure calls.