When they said the messages are encrypted, how real is? I don’t use whatsapp anymore but i want to know more about that, thanks a lot!

There was a blog a few years back indicating that WhatsApp moved to the Signal protocol. Aside from this, anyone can use mitmproxy to verify that whatever’s being sent is truly encrypted: Signal >> Blog >> WhatsApp's Signal Protocol integration is now complete

… unlike in Signal where this is actually done well. Just felt that this remark was needed due to the mention of the Signal protocol above.

[image] If you could only choose between SMS and Whatsapp, what would you choose and why? General My spicy hot take is that I would use SMS. Some facts: Neither WhatsApp nor SMS protect metadata. WhatsApp’s flagging system breaks E2EE. This is especially relevant in gro…

One more comment: E2EE for chat backups is an optional (opt-in) feature. Unless ALL parties in a chat have it enabled, the backup of that chat can be theoretically accessed by Google, Apple, governments etc.

Exactly. And some other services (e.g. Viber) don’t even have an option for encrypted backup. So no matter how you are handling backups, other side can give Google their chats with you unencrypted. And from there, anything is possible :smiley:

This is a valid thing to be aware of and take seriously. But I think saying it “breaks” E2EE is to strong. As much as I distrust meta, in this specific instance it seems like somewhat reasonable compromise, that doesn’t actually fundamentally change things. This approach seems somewhat aligned with…

Whatsapp deploys hundreds of moderators who inspect reported Messages. Just another points to consider.

[image] Tech-Trooper: Whatsapp deploys hundreds of moderators who inspect reported Messages. In this case, it’s not an E2EE anymore, as a ton of people can also read your messages regardless of your encryption key.

[image] anon21489307: In this case, it’s not an E2EE anymore, as a ton of people can also read your messages regardless of your encryption key. That is a misunderstanding. E2EE relies on your encryption key, and the other person’s encryption key. Moderation on Whatsapp can only occur if you …

[image] xe3: A private note discretely passed between 2 people is private, unless one of those two people shares the content of that note with someone else. [image] xe3: Moderation on Whatsapp can only occur if you or the other person report a message. Whatsapp has no visibility to your c…

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How secure is WhatsApp E2EE?

Questions

jonah (Jonah Aragon) December 7, 2023, 3:39pm 5

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