WhatApp has rolled out a new update which now brings end-to-end encryption to all the users across all communications are fully encrypted. WhatsApp in their official blog wrote, “From now on when you and your contacts use the latest version of the app, every call you make, and every message, photo, video, file, and voice message you send, is end-to-end encrypted by default, including group chats”. They went on to mention that with the new encryption not just hackers and other but even WhatsApp cannot access your data.
This feature was available for text messages earlier and now the Encryption has been extended to voice calls, video, and multi-party chat rooms. The update has been rolled out to all users across Android and iOS platforms. With the new update in place, we can be sure that the end-to-end encryption will alert or notify you to stop sending any unencrypted messages.
The idea of encryption has been debatable across public communication platforms, encryptions has been a must have feature for Government, companies, law enforcement purposes etc and for anyone to get access to information needs cooperation from WhatsApp to get access to the data, which will be resisted as seen in the case of Apple’s san Bernardino case.
With this update, WhatsApp is providing encryption to over a billion users to stay in touch without the worry of data being stolen thanks to the end-to-end encryption by WhatsApp. This type of security is taking communication through platforms like WhatsApp more secure and less vulnerable to abuse from cyber criminals, hackers, and rogue states.
Commenting on the rollout, WhatsApp co-founder and CEO Jan Koum said,
“Encryption is one of the most important tools governments, companies, and individuals have to promote safety and security in the new digital age. Recently there has been a lot of discussion about encrypted services and the work of law enforcement. While we recognize the important work of law enforcement in keeping people safe, efforts to weaken encryption risk exposing people’s information to abuse from cyber criminals, hackers, and rogue states.”
To know more about how WhatsApp is able to achieve end-to-end encryption read this – whatsapp.com/security
