Encrypted chat backups feature could make WhatsApp a lot more secure
- WhatsApp is reportedly working on an encrypted chat backup feature.
- In this way, users can block chats that are stored behind passwords in cloud services.
WhatsApp messages stored in the cloud become a little more secure. According to the feature leaker WABetaInfoThe chat service is working on protecting its online chat backups on Android and iOS with a password.
With this function, users can lock their online chat databases stored in Google Drive or iCloud – including all stored media – behind a password. In addition, users will be prompted for the password when their backup is restored to a new device.
WABetaInfo also released pictures of the running function. Users must provide their country of residence and a phone number before they can enable encryption. Passwords must be at least eight characters long, but do not require special characters or numbers.
Interestingly, WhatsApp already offers end-to-end encryption between users in a conversation, but that security doesn’t extend to older chats stored on Google or Apple servers.
Despite the upcoming privacy policy change, WhatsApp’s newer features have also focused more on user security. Last week, WABetaInfo showed that self-destructive images could soon hit the platform. But its rivals have also been on the offensive as more and more users leave the platform. Telegram recently introduced an easy way to import WhatsApp’s chat history as well.
It is unclear when WhatsApp’s encrypted chat backup feature will be available.
