WhatsApp chat backups to be password-protected on Cloud
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San Francisco: Messaging app WhatsApp to enable a new password protection feature to secure chat backups in the Cloud. WABetaInfo, a website that tracks WhatsApp updates in Beta, tweeted on Monday that WhatsApp is working on this upgrade. They tweeted the news along with a few screenshots demonstrating the new feature.
WABetainfo tweeted, "The chat database and media will be safe from unauthorised access when using a password. The password is private, and it's not sent to WhatsApp. It will be available in a future build for iOS and Android."
WhatsApp has been providing end to end encryption for chats since 2016 for enhancing security and privacy. But this feature is not available for chats backed up on iCloud or google drive. Thus, backed up information are easily attainable to storage providers. Protecting backups in Cloud using a password would make it obtainable solely to the user.
"The chat database is already encrypted now (excluding media), but the algorithm is reversible, and it's not end-to-end encrypted. Local Android backups will be compatible with this feature," WABetainfo says.
Whatsapp hasn't yet responded to the findings. As per reports, they are set to implement the new privacy policy from May 15.