It looks like the rumour was true after all, WhatsApp has been working on increasing encryption of user data, and it is now officially live. The company, which is owned by Facebook, recently revealed that they have added end-to-end encryption to every form of communications on its platform.
WhatsApp has encryption of course, back in 2014, the company activated end-to-end encryption to its messages between users. Sadly, the encryption was only for text messages between two users and does not apply to group messages, videos, and photos uploaded to WhatsApp. The announcement today brings end-to-end encryption to all forms of conversations be it between two people, a group conversation, phone calls, photos or videos.
The encryption is done by Open Whisper Systems, who has been working with WhatsApp for over a year. It is available on all platforms including iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, BB10, and even devices as old as Nokia S40 and Nokia S60. Open Whisper Systems says on its blog post that the update will be rolling out today. Once you have received the update, you will see a notice on your conversation saying that it is now secure. This means that no one else, including WhatsApp, will be able to see what you and your friends are exchanging in your chat.
“Over a billion monthly active users across the world are now using the Signal Protocol for end to end encryption. Over the next year, we will continue to work with additional messengers to amplify the impact and scope of private communications even further.” – Open Whisper Systems wrote in a blog post.
(Source: Wired, Open Whisper Systems)
