WhatsApp End To End Encryption: WhatsApp, a social media platform owned by Facebook, has successfully completed the development of an end-to-end encryption feature. This feature allows backing up WhatsApp chats on Android and iOS devices. In the near future, this feature will be available to users on both platforms. By introducing this backup feature, WhatsApp aims to enhance privacy and security for users’ chats. It’s important to note that this feature will be optional and not mandatory.
The Instant Messaging app, as a subsidiary of Facebook, asserts that this WhatsApp end-to-end encryption feature will provide users with a superior level of security both on Android and iOS. With this feature, the users can secure their messages and conversations. Thus, surpassing that of any other messaging service currently in operation.
WhatsApp End to End Encryption
In the coming weeks or a month, the same feature will be rolling out to the iOS and Android users. The feature will be available for those who back up their chats on iCloud or Google Drive. Also Read: Nokia Lite Earbuds launched with 36-hours of battery backup
The forthcoming feature will ensure that users’ chats and messages remain under encryption even when they are stored in the cloud. These chats and messages will be stored as part of WhatsApp’s backup service. Also Read: WhatsApp may soon let you choose any color for user interface instead of same old green
It is worth noting that WhatsApp has been providing end-to-end encryption for messages and chats since 2016. The new feature will be available as an extension of the existing encryption capability. Thus, further enhancing the security and privacy of user communications. Also Read: Mobile phones to get expensive as custom duty on components hiked by 2.5%
Official Statement from WhatsApp On End-To-End Encryption
WhatsApp users can enable this feature manually inside the instant messaging app. In the official statement, the company said that “Now, we’re introducing this feature to share our methodology with the rest of the technical community before it’s available to our beta testers and, eventually, regular people.”
The company further added that “in coming weeks, the end-to-end encryption feature for chat backup will be added as an additional layer of security for the general public.” Also Read: What is WhatsApp Chat History Transfer Feature? How does it work?
The app users who want to back up their chat history can make use of this end-to-end encrypted backup feature. The feature will offer single-user authentication. No other person will be able to unlock their backup, not even WhatsApp. Also Read: Realme 9 Pro smartphone spotted on multiple certification websites
How do I access the end-to-end encryption feature for chat backup on WhatsApp?
To access this feature, the instant messaging company will be providing options for the users to either remember a 64-bit key or choose a password that the company does not know or cannot access. This password will also remain unanimous for both Apple and Google. Let’s take a look at how this end-to-end encryption feature for chat backup will work. How do I enable this feature?
Hardware Security Module (HSM)
In a blog post, Facebook said that it has developed a new system for encryption key storage for Android and iOS platforms. Once the feature gets active, their backups will be encrypted with a unique and randomly generated encryption key. Also Read: Google Pixel 6 Pro: What to Expect from the New Custom Google Chip and Android 12
Additionally, users can also opt to secure the backup with a manual key or with a user-generated password. The company confirms that if the user opts for a password, then the key will be stored in the Backup Key Vault. This is built on a component known as the Hardware Security Module (HSM). Also Read: iQOO Z6 5G with Snapdragon 695, triple rear cameras in India; First Look
Whenever a user wants to access their backup chats, they can access them with the help of an encryption key or by using their own personal password. By any of these two methods, they can retrieve their encryption key from the backup vault. Also Read: Realme C35 with 50MP AI triple camera; First Look: Price, Specifications
With this, they can easily decrypt their backup. To prevent brute-force attacks, the HSM-based Backup Key Vault will make a key permanently unavailable after a certain number of unsuccessful tries. WhatsApp claims that it will know that the key exists.
How do encryption keys get stored on the backup key vault?
For WhatsApp End-to-End Encryption, the instant messaging app will be using its front-end service called ChatD. It will handle the link between the client connection and client-server authentication. Also Read: Apple iPad is likely to launch with Samsung OLED display: Reports
Additionally, it will also implement a proper protocol to send keys to backup to and from the servers. During this process, the smartphone and HSM-Based Backup Key Vault will exchange encrypted messages.
Moreover, ChatD will not have access to the messages sent between the client’s phone and the firm’s servers, according to the company. Also Read: Realme Narzo 50A Prime, budget phone with AI triple cameras launched
According to the business, the HSM-based Backup Key Vault service will be geographically spread across various data centres to correctly handle encryption keys and guarantee that they are always available. In the event of a data centre outage, this will assist in keeping the backup keys operational. Also Read: OnePlus Buds Pro could launch with adaptive noise cancellation and better battery backup
HSM-based Backup Key Vault and the encryption and decryption process
When a user decides to protect their end-to-end encrypted backup with a personal password, their key is transmitted to the HSM-based Backup Key Vault, where it will be stored and safeguarded. Also Read: Dell XPS 15, XPS 17 lineup refreshed with 12th Gen Intel Core processors
To access a key for WhatsApp End to End Encryption, a user will follow these given steps:
- Enter the password to verify the Backup Key Vault
- The Backup Key Vault will send the encryption key to the user’s smartphone
- With this key on a smartphone, users can now decrypt their end-to-end encrypted backups.
The instant messaging company believes that in the current scenario, society needs the best privacy and security features. These days, billions of users have sensitive digital information in the form of private messages, chats, and much more. Also Read: Upcoming OnePlus Nord 2T live images surface online; brings back sandstone finishing
This information is vulnerable to theft by hackers and criminals. To protect this data, the company will be offering a high level of security to the users. To offer even more privacy, WhatsApp will be rolling out this end-to-end encryption feature for chat backup to the general users. Also Read: The Indian Government asks WhatsApp to review its proposed privacy policy changes: Report
WhatsApp vs Indian Government: New IT Rule
Moreover, this feature will roll out at the time when WhatsApp itself is facing challenges from the Indian government. The instant messaging company is facing drift from the Indian government over the new IT rules. Also Read: Facebook’s Instagram Lite app gets Reels feature in India
Additionally, WhatsApp has also challenged the rules in court. To access this new feature, one must update WhatsApp for Android or iOS. We suggest you update WhatsApp to the latest version using the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iOS.
Users can also download a new version of WhatsApp from the WhatsApp.com website for Android and iOS. Also Read: Indian Government vs WhatsApp controversy continues over new privacy policy
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