Whatsapp gets the better of snooping
dubai — The popular messaging service Whatsapp has introduced “end to end encryption” to protect the privacy of its users, which include millions in the UAE.
End-to-end encryption, essentially, means that messages are secured with a lock, for which only the recipient has the necessary key. Each message has a unique lock and key, and the entire encryption and decryption process takes place automatically without any need to change settings or set up secret chats.
“The idea is simple: when you send a message, the only person who can read it is the person or group chat that you send that message to. No one can see inside that message. Not cybercriminals. Not hackers. Not oppressive regimes. Not even us,” Whatsapp said in a blog chance introducing the change. “End-to-end encryption helps make communication via WhatsApp private — sort of like a face-to-face conversation.”
The encryption feature is enabled by default in Whatsapp, meaning that — as long as both parties in the conversation are using the latest version of the service — all chats are encrypted.
Pop-up message
New messages will likely now include a pop-up message saying that “messages you send to this chat and calls are now secured with end-to-end encryption. Tap for more info.”
If one taps the message, a message pops up explaining the encryption process, and allowing users to verify encryption. If a user chooses to verify, they are
No one can see inside your message. Not cybercriminals. Not hackers. Not oppressive regimes. Not even us
Whatsapp taken to a page with a QR code and a string of 60 numbers. If the recipient is nearby, the QR code can be scanned and a match verified. If not, the numbers can be compared. If the codes match, a green check appears, meaning that the message is encrypted.
The blog post’s authors, Whatsapp founders Jan Koum and Brian Action, noted that privacy is more important than ever in today’s digital age.
“We live in a world where more of our data is digitised than ever before. Every day we see stories about sensitive records being improperly accessed or stolen. And if nothing is done, more of people’s digital information and communication will be vulnerable to attack in the years to come,” the post reads. “Fortunately, end-toend encryption protects us from these vulnerabilities.”
Koum — who grew up in Kiev, Ukraine — noted that for him, the desire to protect people’s privacy is “personal”.