WhatsApp announced a landmark update it claims will make the messaging app’s two billion users more secure than on any other platform.
A new update will make the entire messaging app fully encrypted.
End-to-end encryption means that only yourself and the person you’re talking with can read or listen to what is sent - not even WhatsApp.
WhatsApp published in a blog post: "When end-to-end encrypted, your messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, status updates and calls are secured from falling into the wrong hands."
The Facebook-owned app cannot see messages or listen in to calls that are end-to-end encrypted.
"This is because with end-to-end encryption, your messages are secured with a lock, and only the recipient and you have the special key needed to unlock and read them.
"All of this happens automatically: no need to turn on any special settings to secure your messages."
This update marks the end of a five year undertaking that began when WhatsApp started encrypting the 100 billion messages sent every day on its app.
The company says "privacy and security is in our DNA".
WhatsApp announced in August that backups stored on Google Cloud or iCloud will be protected with end-to-end encryption.
"No other global messaging service at this scale provides this level of security for their users’ messages, media, voice messages, video calls, and chat backups," they claimed.
How to turn on end-to-end encrypted backup
- Open Settings.
- Tap Chats > Chat Backup > End-to-end Encrypted Backup.
- Tap Continue, then follow the prompts to create a password or key.
- Tap Done, and wait for WhatsApp to prepare your end-to-end encrypted backup. You might need to connect to a power source.
