Skip to main content

The New WhatsApp Encryption is Giving the Feds a Headache

WhatsApp encryption
Facebook just made things worse for the FBI—and for governments throughout the world. Yesterday, they made sure that WhatsApp’s encryption was so good, that they can’t even tell what it is you’re talking about in chat.
That’s right folks. Remember the whole debacle between Apple and the FBI? Well, CNET reports that Apple’s encryption is going to be the least of the bureau’s worries. That’s because WhatsApp can be installed on any mobile phone, regardless of OS.
This means that it doesn’t matter if you’re an iPhone or an Android user. If you’re using WhatsApp, nobody else can see the details of your conversation with whoever it is you’re talking to.
Note that this is something that Facebook hasn’t gotten in trouble with previously.  Brazil still has it out for the company over the details of a WhatsApp-related case they were investigating earlier this year. Things got so bad that the Brazilian government detained Facebook’s top regional honcho for refusing to cooperate.
The thing is, even if they wanted to, Facebook or WhatsApp can’t do anything about this. End to end encryption ensures that sniffing for data throughout an entire conversation channel was going to be a very difficult endeavor. Even if the company wanted to help the government out—spoiler alert: they didn’t—they couldn’t.
If you think you’re going to be safe with all this, however, there is one caveat. Don’t lose your phone, because that won’t be as secure as the app.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Maynilad Water Chronicles: The Clusterf$%#, Part 2

This is the third post in our Maynilad Water chronicles. This time, we will talk about just how inept their record keeping skills are in the face of a massive overhaul in a given area. This involves a technique used by Meralco in high-risk areas called clustering, and is efficient – if utilized correctly. Needless to say, Maynilad has yet to be able to do this.
Post a Comment
Read more

Clarity in Three Parts

i Maraming beses na kitang nilayasan Iniwanan at iba ang pinuntahan Parang babaeng mahirap talagang malimutan Ikaw lamang ang aking laging binabalikan Manila, Manila I keep coming back to Manila Simply no place like Manila Manila, I'm coming home I walked the streets of San Francisco I've tried the rides in Disneyland Dated a million girls in Sydney Somehow I feel like I don't belong Hinahanap-hanap kita Manila Ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga Mga Jeepney mong nagliliparan Mga babae mong naggagandahan Take me back in your arms Manila And promise me you'll never let go Promise me you'll never let go Manila, Manila Miss you like hell, Manila No place in the world like Manila I'm coming here to stay ii. Too, uh, cheesy to mention. Check the lyrics here . iii. I've been drunk or inebriated every day of this week since Saturday last week; since I'm holding an inuman party
1 comment
Read more

Manila Series: Parks of Manila

The other day, I read the post of a friend who was ranting about how Manila can only be beautiful when seen from a specific light. I could understand what he means, because Manila is the center of traffic in the NCR. The poor are here in full force, the most corrupt policemen are here, and honestly, there is no discipline whatsoever. But here’s something that I’ve discovered. You walk Manila. You don't drive it. It isn't the most walkable city in the world, but what can be seen when you do walk it is fantastic. And when you walk around the city, you don’t encounter the corrupt cops (because they’re going after the drivers), you don’t deal with traffic. You can’t do anything about the poor, though. Unless they’re doing something productive, and not just begging, I avoid them. If they’re cleaning up trash, or something similar, then I give them cash.
Post a Comment
Read more