How Managed IT Services in the UK Workplace Aid Productivity
Whatsapp, owned by Facebook, turned on the Signal Protocol, developed by Open Whisper Systems, by default. The private messaging system, will protect group chats, attachments, voice notes, and voice calls that are made across WhatsApp on Android, iPhone, Windows devices and some Nokia and BlackBerry models.
This method of encryption allows their users to see content that has been sent to them, however doesn't allow service providers, such as WhatsApp, to access the content of the messages.
Users are able to verify their encrypted messages by scanning a QR code or reading a code aloud. This is to ensure messages are being sent and received by the correct users. By using this method, WhatsApp employees won't be able to access messages, even if they are ordered to do so by the courts.
In the Open Whisper Systems blog, they stated that "Starting today, users will see a notice in their conversation screen as their individual and group chats become end to end encrypted… Additionally, the encryption status of any chat is visible under that chat's preferences screen."
It is interesting that this addition of the end-to-end encryption of Whatsapp follows Apple's debate with the FBI over the unlocking of a terrorist's iPhone. During the dispute WhatsApps' co-founder stated he was in support of Apple's position and admired its "efforts to protect user data". WhatsApp revealed that in March, they had also been targeted by court orders requesting the access information that they hold.
It was explained by Open Whisper Systems that there would still be unencrypted text on the WhatsApp network until everyone updated to the latest version of the software. When someone is using the end-to-end encrypted network plain text will not be sent to them, even if they downgrade their software.
"Eventually all the pre-e2e capable clients will expire, at which point new versions of the software will no longer transmit or accept plaintext messages at all," Whisper stated.
As a user, it is comforting to feel like the big players in the industry are doing their part into protecting the privacy, security and data of all of us, despite best efforts by the FBI and courts.
We advise you to update your version of the app and protect your messages!
