California: Popular messaging application WhatsApp on
April 5 said that it has implemented “full end-to-end encryption,” a move which
steps up privacy but may lead to conflicts with law enforcement agencies.
The just-introduced end-to-end encryption of
WhatsApp will protect texts and voice calls and gives no access to the security
agencies, making it much tougher for them to tackle any situation arising out
of messages, videos being circulated through the messaging service.
WhatsApp
has put out a one-line advisory to its users: Messages you send to this chat
and calls are now secured with end-to-end encryption.
“Encryption is one of the most important
tools, governments, companies and individuals have to promote safety and
security in the new digital age. Recently there had been a lot of discussion
about encrypted services and the work of law enforcement,” WhatsApp said in a
blog post. “While we recognize the important work of law enforcement in keeping
people safe, efforts to weaken encryption risk exposing people’s information to
abuse from cybercriminals, hackers, and rogue states,” it further said.WhatsApp's
action came close on the heels of a legal battle between Apple and FBI over the
US agency's demand that the iphone maker help unlock its mobile phones. The
popular messenger was being used excessively in Jammu and Kashmir by
separatists and anti-national elements for spreading rumors which have often
led to violent clashes.As of
February 2016, WhatsApp had a user base of one billion, making it the most popular
messaging application.
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