The popular messaging service
WhatsApp said Tuesday it had implemented “full end-to-end encryption,” a
move which steps up privacy but may lead to conflicts with law
enforcement agencies.
The Facebook-owned mobile application
with one billion users worldwide made the announcement following weeks
of intense debate over efforts by US authorities to compel Apple to help
break into an encrypted iPhone.
“WhatsApp has always prioritized making
your data and communication as secure as possible,” a blog post
announcing the change said.
“And today, we’re proud to announce that
we’ve completed a technological development that makes WhatsApp a
leader in protecting your private communication: full end-to-end
encryption.”
This means that “when you send a
message, the only person who can read it is the person or group chat
that you send that message to,” the statement said.
“No one can see inside that message. Not cybercriminals. Not hackers. Not oppressive regimes. Not even us.”
Moves by technology firms to implement
the kind of encryption where even the companies themselves don’t have
“keys” to unlock data have unleashed criticism in law enforcement
circles claiming this creates “warrant-proof” spaces for criminals and
others.
The blog post by WhatsApp co-founders Jan Koum and Brian Action said encryption is an important tool for its users.
“We live in a world where more of our data is digitized than ever before,” they wrote.
“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. Fortunately, end-to-end
encryption protects us from these vulnerabilities.”
Credit: Punch
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