Forget Apple vs. FBI: WhatsApp Encrypts Messages for All Users -- Security Today

Forget Apple vs. FBI: WhatsApp Encrypts Messages for All Users

By Sydny Shepard
Apr 06, 2016

Instant messaging service WhatsApp is seeking to reassure its users about their privacy by encrypting all messages sent via its app.

In a blog post written by WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum, he explained that every conversation on the messaging service, whether it is a private or group chat, will have full end-to-end encryption, making the recipient the only person who can see the message.

“No one can see inside that message, not cybercriminals, not hackers and not oppressive regimes. Not even us.” Koum said in the blog. "End-to-end encryption helps make communication via WhatsApp private – sort of like a face-to-face conversation.”

The WhatsApp website explains that end-to-end encryption works by security messages with a lock, which only the recipient and sender are able to unlock and read with a special key. For added protection, every message sent has its own unique lock and key. All of this happens automatically; even WhatsApp cannot read the messages.

WhatsApp’s announcement comes within the wake of the most high-profile clash in the debate over encryption, made popular by Apple and the FBI. In February, the FBI asked Apple to unlock one of the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhones so that authorities could access his data. Apple refused, stating that creating a backdoor could be dangerous for all iPhone users.

An encrypted messaging platform like WhatsApp could motivate more court dates in the never ending conversation over data privacy between the government and technology companies.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

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