Whatsapp Enables Encryption for 1 Billion Users
Whatsapp Enables Encryption for 1 Billion Users
Following the newest update, Whatsapp is now enabling end-to-end encryption for all solo as well as group chats. In fact, not just your messages, but your photos and videos also can’t be read by anyone else.
This is especially important after the Apple vs. FBI row over unlocking an iPhone belonging to a shooter. Now even Whatsapp employees can’t pry into your conversations let alone governments.
The encryption-focused update for the popular messaging app was first announced by Whatsapp co-founder Jan Koum on his Facebook page, stating that it took his team two years to perfect this feature.
Here’s How End-to-End Encryption Goes Live on Whatsapp
How Does It Work?
Whatsapp says that it is using the Signal Protocol (made by Open Whisper Systems) to power its privacy-focused feature.
According to a paper released by the company, here is how messages are encrypted:
Clients exchange messages that are protected with a Message Key using AES256 in CBC mode for encryption and HMAC-SHA256 for authentication. The Message Key changes for each message transmitted, and is ephemeral, such that the Message Key used to encrypt a message cannot be reconstructed from the session.”
This also applies to calls and large file attachments made over Whatsapp.
How to Enable it?
Whatsapp enables the encryption setting once you’ve upgraded to the current latest version. Also note that even your pals and other fellow chatterboxes should be on the new version to enjoy fully-encrypted chats.
As seen in the picture above, you and the other user receive a message saying that “Messages you send to this chat and calls are now secured with end-to-end encryption. Tap for more info.”
Clicking this message gives you more information on how it works. For verification, Whatsapp offers users a QR code which can be used by you and your fellow chatting buddy to check if the conversation is encrypted. You can see matching codes and a green tick confirms that the session is secure. If not, you’ll be greeted with a red-colored exclamation mark.
Currently there’s no option to turn off the feature.
An update like this was much needed in a post-Snowden world where governments and other organizations are after your data for various reasons. Words like privacy have all but lost their meaning, if not for measures such as these. However, Whatsapp may have enabled end-to-end encryption for chats but it can still see who you’ve sent the message to. Apparently we have ways to go if we want to be truly anonymous in the age of social media and the internet.
Sarmad Gardezi
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