In addition to working on several new features such as multi-device support, joinable group calling capabilities, the ability to change quality before sending images and videos, WhatsApp has been working on some privacy related features over the past few months. We have also introduced features. The messaging giant began testing end-to-end encryption for cloud backups earlier this year. And now WhatsApp extends this privacy feature to local backups as well.
For those who don’t know, WhatsApp has been offering end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for chat on the platform since 2014. However, the messaging app does not support E2EE for cloud or local backup. WhatsApp aims to change that soon, By a tipster WABetaInfo..
End-to-end encryption of local backups on WhatsApp
The E2EE feature of local backup and cloud backup allows users to encrypt device and cloud backups with a unique password or encryption key. Therefore, when restoring chat and media from the cloud or older devices, users must provide a password or encryption key to access the backup.
In this way, users can prevent unauthorized access to chat and media backups. However, if the user forgets the encryption key or password to access the backup, there is no way to recover the data because the password and encryption key are secret. It will not be shared with WhatsApp, Facebook, or any other third party entity.
In terms of availability, local backup end-to-end encryption will be available in future updates according to WABetaInfo. We will keep you informed about the development of this feature, so stay tuned for future updates.
Featured image courtesy of: WABetaInfo (twitter)
