When end-to-end encrypted, your
messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, status updates and
calls are secured from falling into the wrong hands.End-to-end encryption is available when you and the people you message are on the latest versions of WhatsApp.WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption ensures only you and the person
you're communicating with can read what is sent, and nobody in between,
not even WhatsApp. Your messages are secured with a lock, and only the
recipient and you have the special key needed to unlock and read your
message. For added protection, every message you send has a unique lock
and key. All of this happens automatically: no need to turn on settings
or set up special secret chats to secure your messages.End-to-end encryption is always
activated, provided all parties are using the latest version of
WhatsApp. There is no way to turn off end-to-end encryption.
What is the "Verify security code" screen in the contact info screen?
Each of your chats has its own security code used to verify that your
calls and the messages you send to that chat are end-to-end encrypted.The verification process is optional and is used only to confirm that the messages you send are end-to-end encrypted.This code can be found in the contact info screen, both as a QR code
and a 60-digit number. These codes are unique to each chat and can be
compared between people in each chat to verify that the messages you
send to the chat are end-to-end encrypted. Security codes are just
visible versions of the special key shared between you - and don't
worry, it's not the actual key itself, that's always kept secret.
To verify that a chat is end-to-end encrypted
2.Tap on the name of the contact to open the contact info screen.
3.Tap Encryption to view the QR code and 60-digit number.
If you and your contact are physically next to each other, one of you
can scan the other's QR code or visually compare the 60-digit number.
If you scan the QR code, and the code is indeed the same, a green
checkmark will appear. Since they match, you can be sure no one is
intercepting your messages or calls.If you and your contact are not physically near each other, you can
send them the 60-digit number. Let your contact know that once they
receive your code, they should write it down and then visually compare
it to the 60-digit number that appears in the contact info screen under Encryption. For Android, iPhone and Windows Phone, you can use the Share button from the QR code/60-digit number screen to send the 60-digit number via SMS, email, etc.
Pros:
1. Privacy secured : There have been higher demands for making messages more secure due to more and more threats of hackers taking hold of data transfer over Wi-Fi and other means. Even though phones are becoming more secure from viruses, security of messages you send over social networks has always faced threats of being spied upon and subject to abuse from cybercriminals. From now onwards, it will be impossible for anyone else to lay hands over messages, pictures, videos, files and voice messages that you share with your contacts or groups.
2. No government spies : In many countries politicians and government were fighting against strong encryption and voting for banning of such technologies to be replaced by those who have ‘backdoors’ to have access over messages whenever needed or in doubt. The problem with this is a total loss of privacy. You could simply be suspected over no good reason and your private life could be brought to the front, traumatizing innocents and tainting their reputation for the rest of their life. There have been many cases when suspects were dragged into controversies that did not had anything to do with the original case.
3. Connecting people better : People talk more freely with others when they are sure that their conversation will remain to themselves while if you are aware that some random person could be eavesdropping on your conversation, it will most likely be a little fabricated, making it less real. With the end-to-end encryption, it would be like talking to someone in person, as in face to face conversation. You are sure that it will not be picked up by any hacker or spy agents. People will connect more and those who kept away from social networking due to these apprehensions will consider being a part of the technology now.
4. Right to keep private life confidential : Celebrities often land in controversies and are generally found to be struggling to keep their private life confidential. Most often we saw how WhatsApp text contents were used to taint the images of some television stars by getting hold of their private chat messages. Either these were framed or actually hacked information is yet to be confirmed but the loophole for backdoor was always a pain to deal with since the possibility of being hacked always remained in public network especially. Even celebrities have the right to keep their personal life and private conversation safe from public eyes and the encryption is just the right answer to their prayers.
5. Shared network : With more and more people resorting to save money by sharing data over a single hotspot, it was very much essential to have such end-to-end encryption so prevent shared content from falling into wrong hands. There have previously been reports of fake hotspots at some public places, installed by hackers to have access to the flow of information from your system and to misuse them later against you.
Cons :
1. Party for criminals : There always lingered the fear of information being tracked by cyber departments and hence lawbreakers should have been actually a tad apprehensive about the usage of technology. Now that they know there will be no tracking of what you send over WhatsApp to the other person, people with sick mind games will use it to their advantage without fearing law. There have been so many cases in India, where the cooperation of the cybercrime branch led to the exposure of criminals along with proper evidence to prove them convict. Gone is that facility now.
2. Misuse of technology : How is WhatsApp or any other social networking site that would follow the example of this, going to ban and block hate spreading content or any such misdemeanors now? Freedom beyond the limits of laws are going to be a problem if no one is on the other end to keep a track on illegal activities that could be advertised or propagated through internet. Since WhatsApp is for one-to-one conversations some will argue that there would be no hate spreading going on what about group chats? Could they not be used to lay down troublemaking plans?
3. Challenges : There are many compatibility issues are that faced during data encryption and now that the app runs on cross platforms it will be even more difficult to determine if the technology would actually come up to the standards of providing as much security and privacy as is being talked about. They are also known to have negative effects on operation within the system. Unrealistic standards and expectations of the users could lead to bigger problems that are covered yet.
4. Law and order overlooked : When government would not be able to access information that is suspected or needs to be dug out there will be questions of law and order being overlooked at the face of confidentiality of users. It would be like giving priority to messaging privacy over safety of citizens from fraudsters and terrorists.
1. Privacy secured : There have been higher demands for making messages more secure due to more and more threats of hackers taking hold of data transfer over Wi-Fi and other means. Even though phones are becoming more secure from viruses, security of messages you send over social networks has always faced threats of being spied upon and subject to abuse from cybercriminals. From now onwards, it will be impossible for anyone else to lay hands over messages, pictures, videos, files and voice messages that you share with your contacts or groups.
2. No government spies : In many countries politicians and government were fighting against strong encryption and voting for banning of such technologies to be replaced by those who have ‘backdoors’ to have access over messages whenever needed or in doubt. The problem with this is a total loss of privacy. You could simply be suspected over no good reason and your private life could be brought to the front, traumatizing innocents and tainting their reputation for the rest of their life. There have been many cases when suspects were dragged into controversies that did not had anything to do with the original case.
3. Connecting people better : People talk more freely with others when they are sure that their conversation will remain to themselves while if you are aware that some random person could be eavesdropping on your conversation, it will most likely be a little fabricated, making it less real. With the end-to-end encryption, it would be like talking to someone in person, as in face to face conversation. You are sure that it will not be picked up by any hacker or spy agents. People will connect more and those who kept away from social networking due to these apprehensions will consider being a part of the technology now.
4. Right to keep private life confidential : Celebrities often land in controversies and are generally found to be struggling to keep their private life confidential. Most often we saw how WhatsApp text contents were used to taint the images of some television stars by getting hold of their private chat messages. Either these were framed or actually hacked information is yet to be confirmed but the loophole for backdoor was always a pain to deal with since the possibility of being hacked always remained in public network especially. Even celebrities have the right to keep their personal life and private conversation safe from public eyes and the encryption is just the right answer to their prayers.
5. Shared network : With more and more people resorting to save money by sharing data over a single hotspot, it was very much essential to have such end-to-end encryption so prevent shared content from falling into wrong hands. There have previously been reports of fake hotspots at some public places, installed by hackers to have access to the flow of information from your system and to misuse them later against you.
Cons :
1. Party for criminals : There always lingered the fear of information being tracked by cyber departments and hence lawbreakers should have been actually a tad apprehensive about the usage of technology. Now that they know there will be no tracking of what you send over WhatsApp to the other person, people with sick mind games will use it to their advantage without fearing law. There have been so many cases in India, where the cooperation of the cybercrime branch led to the exposure of criminals along with proper evidence to prove them convict. Gone is that facility now.
2. Misuse of technology : How is WhatsApp or any other social networking site that would follow the example of this, going to ban and block hate spreading content or any such misdemeanors now? Freedom beyond the limits of laws are going to be a problem if no one is on the other end to keep a track on illegal activities that could be advertised or propagated through internet. Since WhatsApp is for one-to-one conversations some will argue that there would be no hate spreading going on what about group chats? Could they not be used to lay down troublemaking plans?
3. Challenges : There are many compatibility issues are that faced during data encryption and now that the app runs on cross platforms it will be even more difficult to determine if the technology would actually come up to the standards of providing as much security and privacy as is being talked about. They are also known to have negative effects on operation within the system. Unrealistic standards and expectations of the users could lead to bigger problems that are covered yet.
4. Law and order overlooked : When government would not be able to access information that is suspected or needs to be dug out there will be questions of law and order being overlooked at the face of confidentiality of users. It would be like giving priority to messaging privacy over safety of citizens from fraudsters and terrorists.
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