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WhatsApp Enables End-to-End Encryption for Backup Messages

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By Allison Murray Allison Murray Tech News Reporter Southern Illinois University Allison reports on all things tech. She's a news junky that keeps her eye on the latest trends. Allison is a writer working out of Chicago, IL, with her only coworker: her cat Norbert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 10, 2021 01:27PM EDT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Social Media Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming WhatsApp announced on Friday that it would add an end-to-end encryption option to users’ backup messages. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made the announcement with a Facebook post, saying the end-to-end encryption option will store your backup messages in either Google Drive or iCloud. Getty Images/Chesnot "WhatsApp is the first global messaging service at this scale to offer end-to-end encrypted messaging and backups, and getting there was a really hard technical challenge that required an entirely new framework for key storage and cloud storage across operating systems," Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook post. A whitepaper detailing the new feature published on Friday notes that WhatsApp users will have to save a 64-digit encryption key or make a password when saving their encrypted backup messages. In addition, end-to-end encrypted backups will only be supported on a user’s device. "Once the end-to-end encrypted backups feature is enabled in the WhatsApp application, the client uses a built-in cryptographically secure pseudorandom number generator to generate a unique encryption key K," the whitepaper details. "The cryptographic strength of K in terms of length is 256 bits, i.e., 32 bytes. That key K is only known to the client and is never transmitted outside of the client unencrypted." WhatsApp The Verge notes that WhatsApp’s announcement puts its encryption capabilities ahead of Apple's. While Apple has end-to-end encryption of its iMessages, it does not encrypt backup messages, even though it initially had plans to do so. Aside from encrypting your backup messages, WhatsApp also is developing a way to hide your active status from specific contacts. These would be new privacy tools that give you more control over who sees your status; you can choose "Everyone," "Nobody," "My Contacts," and now, "My Contacts Except" for your Last Seen. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire WhatsApp Encryption: What It Is and How to Use It What Is a Cryptographic Hash Function? What Is File Transfer Encryption? How to Restore WhatsApp Messages The 5 Best Secure Email Services for 2022 31 Best Free Backup Software Tools (October 2022) What Is Network Encryption? How to Lock a Folder in Windows 10 How to Use WhatsApp Privacy Settings The 5 Best Apps to Make Free International Calls (2022) How to Encrypt Your iPhone How to Encrypt Your Mac AOMEI Backupper Standard v7 Review (A Backup Tool) What Is IPSec? How to Encrypt Your iPad What Is File Storage Encryption? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies