Popular instant messaging app WhatsApp is working on a new encryption feature. The new password protection feature is aimed at protecting users’ chat backups in Cloud. The password feature will guard the data from hackers. To encode the data, one must enter a password. Once the entry is matched in the Cloud users will be able to access the chat backups. The company said that no one else other than the users can encrypt the backups. WhatsApp chats are end-to-end encrypted. However, there is no mechanism available to lock chat backups in Cloud. The protection doesn’t apply to such online backups. The backups are stored on Apple iCloud and Google Drive.
The feature will check unauthorized access to the backups. The password to protect backups will be private. It will not be sent to WhatsApp. Users will be given an option to set a password in a future build for both Android and iOS. WhatsApp is believed to be testing the feature with limited users. The feature was spotted last year as well. Users will need the password when they restore the chat from the backup. WhatsApp didn’t reveal the launch date of the feature. It is predicted that the feature could become live in May alongside the company’s controversial privacy policy. The new feature comes amidst reports of feat among users over the privacy of their data.
WhatsApp is currently facing a barrage of criticism for its new privacy policy. The new policy was set to come into effect from February 8. But the company deferred it by three months. The company delayed the implementation to buy time to tell users about the policy. The company had said that accounts not accepting the new terms and conditions will be suspended or deleted. But WhatsApp postponed the privacy policy following a massive backlash. The company alleged that the new policy will compromise with users’ data and vowed to allay the fears related to the update. WhatsApp said it is committed to the privacy of users and that conversations are end-to-end encrypted.
