WhatsApp may be working on a feature that allows the user to use a password to encrypt the backup of their conversations in the app. The idea is to offer an extra layer of protection to data stored on Google Drive or iCloud. It is worth remembering that the application already offers end-to-end encryption in conversations, which prevents third parties from intercepting data. However, this did not happen when messages and media files were stored as backups outside WhatsApp.
The information was discovered by the website WABetaInfo, which focused on WhatsApp news. Doing a reverse engineering job, they discovered snippets of code that reveal the possibility of protecting the database. Access will be linked to the phone number to which the conversation belongs and will only be unlocked with the correct typing of the password.
As previously announced, @WhatsApp is working on cloud backup encryption.
The chat database and media will be safe from unauthorized access when using a password. The password is private and it's not sent to WhatsApp.
It will be available in a future build for iOS and Android. pic.twitter.com/Lp06PaECBX
- WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) March 8, 2021
Since the password will not be shared with WhatsApp or sent to anyone, the user will need to write them down somewhere to maintain access. If you forget, you can say goodbye to the backup, as you will not be able to recover the encrypted data. The screenshots reveal that the function will be available for the iOS and Android versions of the application, and it can also be used for local backups on the device.
So far, WhatsApp has not shared any official information about the feature, but it looks like the news is ready to be made available soon.
Privacy and security in focus on WhatsApp
The app has seen itself in the spotlight in recent weeks after updating its privacy policy. Now, to use the service, the user needs to authorize the sharing of some data with Facebook, which ended up confusing and displeasing many people. There was even a very significant migration of people to competitors, such as Telegram, ICQ and Signal.
The network has postponed the implementation of the new policy until May 15 and will try to explain the need for the change by then. According to a statement, WhatsApp says that this is the first step for many to promote clearer communication between users. The company is investing in the purchase of ads on Google Ads to promote the new privacy policy, ensuring that there will be no violation of any kind to the user.
There are those who say that the social network is rushing to work on security features, like the one found by WABetaInfo and the possibility of sending messages that self-destruct, as a way of showing that it cares about the user's privacy. This cryptography function, for example, has been in development for at least a year.
Can backup encryption help WhatsApp image recovery? Or is it that the days of the greatest messenger on the planet are numbered? Comment.
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