The Facebook-owned messaging app, WhatsApp is now testing the technology to independently encrypt chat backups in the cloud. The company has revealed that this system has been enabled in its latest Android beta update.
According to WABetaInfo, opting in for the beta build should keep chat history and media securely backed up, with the notable caution that if a user forgets their passcode or misses the 64-digit recovery key, then they’ll be locked away permanently because even WhatsApp can’t get in then.
Those who still want to seek out the new encrypted cloud backup on their Android phones, can get in the best test group or wait for the feature to be inaugurated for all users. The company is further testing a version of the software that runs across multiple devices, managing end-to-end encryption whether or not users have a phone connected.
? WhatsApp beta for Android 2.21.15.5: what’s new?
WhatsApp is finally rolling out end-to-end encrypted backups for beta testers today!https://t.co/Exs95QbHcE
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) July 16, 2021
As per the reports online, the closed encryption experiments are expanding to more people. The WABetaInfo report further informs that WhatsApp is rolling out the feature already, and it will take a bit to reach all users.
The company recently demonstrated how things will operate behind the scenes for multi-device support to work, especially with regards to protection. The firm states that all devices will receive the same level of end-to-end encryption and protection as the primary phone with WhatsApp set up.
Read more: WhatsApp’s long-awaited multi-device support available in Public Beta
Nevertheless, the latest feature launched by the firm guarantees that all the chats and media files of a user from their backup are recorded safe utilizing the encryption technology that WhatsApp applies to secure their chats.
To employ this feature the users, have to choose a password that will encrypt future WhatsApp backups. However, users will require this password every time they restore their backup. If the user loses their password, they will not be able to restore their chat history. This password is private and is not shared with WhatsApp, Facebook, Google, or Apple.
Source: The Verge