WhatsApp Is Extending Chat Encryption To Cloud Backups: Here's How It'll Work

WhatsApp Messenger will now let users encrypt their chat backups on the cloud, adding an extra layer of protection for chats on the Facebook-owned messaging platform. This feature will work as an extension of the pre-existing end-to-encryption which prevents anybody except the sender and receiver to read the messages, as claimed by WhatsApp.

Reuters

Much needed relief to WhatsApp users

Now, WhatsApp's two billion users across the globe may store their chat backup to their cloud - be it Apple's iCloud service or Android's Google Drive.

The loophole in lack of encryption on cloud chat backups had given unwarranted access to authorities in many cases where they would otherwise not have access to regular chats due to its encryption.

WhatsApp

Also read: Encryption A Lie? Facebook Can Read Your WhatsApp Messages, Says Report

The new feature was announced in a Facebook post by Mark Zuckerberg, who referred to the encryption as a huge "technical challenge" which forced the company to create an "entirely new framework" for storage purposes on different platforms.

How can you enable WhatsApp cloud encryption?

The feature will begin rolling out to WhatsApp users at different times within the coming weeks. Users on both iOS and Android would receive the option to generate a 64-digit encryption key to lock their chats which are backed up to the cloud.

The encryption key may be stored offline or in a digital password ledger. In addition, users may create a password to create a backup of the encryption key as well, which would be stored in a cloud-based "backup key vault", TechCrunch reported.

Reuters

Also read: WhatsApp Will Allow Hiding Last Seen, Profile Pic For Specific Contacts

WhatsApp claims they will not know the password created by any user, while adding that all previous cloud backups will be deleted and replaced once the mechanism is in action.

The company's encryption feature was bought into question after an explosive report by ProPublica claimed that Facebook moderators (essentially Accenture employees) are able to access five prior messages of any chat that has been reported by a user. While this may not qualify as "breaking" encryption, it still sheds light on Facebook's outsourcing of content moderation on its own platforms, absolving itself of most responsibility.

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