Instant messaging app WhatsApp has enabled
end-to-end encryption for all data sent and received on the app. Every message
sent, photo or video shared, documents and files sent to friends or colleagues
and WhatsApp voice calls have now been made completely secure.WhatsApp says
this feature will be enabled on apps running on iOS, Android, Windows,
Blackberry and Nokia devices.
WhatsApp has previously encrypted data, but only
partially. Text-based chats have been encrypted since November 2014. WhatsApp
had been working with non-profit software organization Open Whisper Systems to
enable complete encryption of all data on the platform. Now all communication
is encrypted.
About end-to-end encryption:
A lot of instant messenger apps transmit your
messages as plain text and anyone who is able to intercept your conversations
through the network or access the app’s servers can read what you have sent and
received. What end-to-end encryption does is that it scrambles the message in a
series of digits, which can be unlocked only by the sender and receiver who are
using the app itself for conversation. End-to-end encryption is essentially a
secure method of communication where only the people communicating can access
the messages. Cyber criminals, anyone snooping, anyone with a motive to hack,
telecom service providers, internet companies, third-party apps and even
government agencies cannot read encrypted communications.
WhatsApp users can also verify that their
communications are not being intercepted by someone in the middle of the chain,
by scanning a unique code on the phone of the other party they are conversing
with. Since WhatsApp itself will not be able to access any user’s chats
anymore, chances are they will not be able to assist in any potential
government requests for the data of a particular user.
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