WhatsApp has been promising end-to-end encryption in its application, which, for those of you unaware, basically means that any message or image that you send via WhatsApp is provided with the highest level of security on offer.
Whilst this is an appreciated feature, it is not the same when the user is storing the same messages in the cloud as a backup, usually done to safeguard your data for the future.
The chat backup that is stored in the cloud, be it Google Drive or iCloud can be looked at by third party services via cloud service providers, but they are usually not end-to-end encrypted.
WhatsApp Will Finally Offer End-To-End Encryption on Cloud Backups
Now it seems that in a bid to provide more privacy, WhatsApp is working on securing the cloud backups for the user's WhatsApp chats, as it was recently spotted testing the same on an Android Beta build, but, today, it seems to have prepared the same functionality for users on the iOS side of things.
A new screenshot revealed by WABetaInfo on Twitter hinted towards the same, with the screenshot showing an option to allow for end-to-end encrypted backup that can be backed up on iCloud to protect it from non-consented access. The publication added that the encryption tool would be available in the near future.
This move is well suited for data privacy nerds since Apple seems to be working on similar privacy-related features, with the company announcing its plans to eradicate distribution of CSAM or Child Sexual Abuse Material on iOS. The feature will come with a hashtag tool that can scan photos stored on iCloud to locate child sexual abuse instances.
In other WhatsApp related news, multi-device support on WhatsApp was recently made available to users on iOS, with the initial release on offer for users who are part of the Beta program. Multi-Device support, for those unaware, allows the user to receive and send messages on the Web version of WhatsApp without having to keep the WhatsApp app on the phone connected, something that both Signal and Telegram offer,
At the time of release, it was revealed via WABetaInfo that the aforementioned end-to-end encryption of WhatsApp was impeding the feature, but, now, with the rollout on iOS, users will be able to use the app on their PC or laptop without having to keep their handset connected to the internet.
