End-to-end encryption: How WhatsApp chats get leaked
WhatsApp is the most popular and widely used messaging app in the world, especially among youngsters. This Facebook-owned texting app is secured by its end-to-end encryption system, and its 2 billion users consider the platform a safe place where all their personal information, like phone numbers and chats are completely protected. However, in spite of its so called unbreachable encryption system, WhatsApp chats get leaked every now and then, be it of important government officials, celebrities or common people. But how does this happen? Here is what young users need to know about this online danger.
What is the end-to-end encryption that WhatsApp uses?
WhatsApp claims that it uses an end-to-end encryption system that allows texts, media, documents and call records to stay in between the senders and recipients. It is done to ensure that this private content does not fall into wrong hands like unethical hackers and cybercriminals. This also means that no third parties, be it the governments, WhatsApp or even its parent company Facebook can access this information.
According to WhatsApp, this encryption system works in such a way that messages sent by a user is secured with a lock, which can be only unlocked by the receiver whose device is linked with a special key with the sender’s device. In fact, this feature is now automatically activated once a sender sends a message to the receiver’s number, without the hustle of going to the settings and turning it on manually.
However, WhatsApp has clearly revealed that the ones who take help of vendors to send or receive their texts and manage their endpoints, are not end-to-end encrypted.
How do the WhatsApp chats get leaked?
WhatsApp chats do not get leaked on their own, as the end-to-end encryption system is really an impenetrable shield. However, WhatsApp also doesn’t prohibit users from taking screenshots of texts and other content, which, when change multiple hands, end up being leaked. This means, when somebody takes screenshots of the sender’s chats or has access to the sender or receiver’s devices, can easily end up sharing the private information with others. WhatsApp even considers this as a privacy breach and notes it under “Third Party Information,” but till date hasn’t taken steps to redeem it. Users not only take screenshots of texts, but also record calls and often share them on other social media platforms, making it a significant leak.
Moreover, there are also hacking backdoors through which hackers often access private chats on WhatsApp, that even the company is unable to prevent. From cloning of a phone to installing a spyware like Pegasus, WhatsApp chats get leaked to the tech minds who are behind these unethical practices.
Another most common way of chat leak is through the backup feature on WhatsApp. WhatsApp doesn’t offer a cloud storage feature and instead collaborates with third-parties like Google Drive to preserve the chats backup. Now, these clod storages are as such not encrypted, and can be hacked by anyone with means and opportunity.
However, Mark Zuckerberg, the owner and CEO of WhatsApp’s parent company has recently confirmed that WhatsApp is soon coming up with “another layer of privacy and security” to provide “an end-to-end encryption option for the backups people choose to store in Google Drive or iCloud.”