Have you ever questioned if your private WhatsApp messages are really private? In today’s digital world, privacy is more important than ever. WhatsApp built strong security into their app to protect your conversations. So let’s take a look at what WhatsApp does to protect your messages, and how, in fact, WhatsApp cannot even read what you send.
Table of Contents
What Is End-to-End Encryption?
End-to-end encryption functions like placing your message in a unique locked box that only you, and the person you’re talking to, can open. Here’s how it works:
- Your message is secured with a unique digital key on your phone before it’s sent
- That locked message travels all the way across the internet
- Only the person you’re sending it to has the corresponding key to unlock the message
- Because the message is securely locked with keys, no one else can read it; not even WhatsApp
Imagine sending a letter in a box that only you and your friend know the combination to, and even the postal service carrying the box cannot open it to see what’s inside.
Your Messages Are Protected Automatically
The excellent news about WhatsApp security is you do not have to do anything to turn it on. Here is a list of what is automatically protected:
- Text messages – All of the words you type
- Photos and videos – All the pictures and videos you share
- Voice messages – All of your audio messages
- Documents – All the files you send and receive
- Location sharing – When you share your location
- Status updates – All of your WhatsApp status updates
- Voice and video calls – All of your voice and video conversations
All of this is done in the background without you having to touch any settings or go through complicated steps.
How WhatsApp’s Security Works
WhatsApp uses what is called the Signal Protocol, which is one of the strongest forms of security available. Here is how security works:
Unique Keys For Every Chat
- Every chat has its own unique security key
- Each person you chat with has a unique security key
- The keys are changed often to stay secure
Keys Change Constantly
- Even for one single message there is a new unique security key
- So if one unique security key was somehow attained, they would not be able to read any of the other messages
- It is like changing your lock after every visitor.
All Is Done On the Phone
- The locking and unlocking of the messages is done inside of your device, not on WhatsApp’s servers.
- This means that messages have already been locked when they leave your phone.
- WhatsApp’s servers only deal with the locked messages, not the readable messages.
What This Means for Different Types of Messages
Personal Chats
When you communicate with a friend or family member, the conversation is from end to end encrypted. As an example, WhatsApp:
- Will NOT read your messages
- Will NOT listen to your audio calls
- Will NOT see your photos
- Will NOT be able to access files you share
Group Messaging
The same thing happens in group messaging. Each person in the group has their own security keys and each message is locked using a key, for each person in the group.
Voice and Video
When you communicate with a voice call or video chat, your communication is also encrypted from end to end. For example:
- WhatsApp cannot listen to the calls you make
- No one can eavesdrop on a video chat
- WhatsApp does not have access to the conversations you have on the call
Business Messages: A Special Case
When you message businesses on WhatsApp, things work a little differently:
WhatsApp Business app
- Messages sent to small businesses on the WhatsApp Business app would still be end-to-end encrypted
- However, the business may choose to store the messages
- They may use the messages for their own marketing purposes
Larger Businesses With Special Services
Some larger businesses use additional services that affect the encryption:
- Some of these services may involve Meta (WhatsApp’s parent company) storing and managing the messages
- Some of these services may involve using AI to respond to customers
- When you’re chatting with a larger business using such services, WhatsApp will show you in the chat
- These messages are not considered end-to-end encrypted
WhatsApp always tells you when you’re chatting with a business using services, so you know what you’re choosing to share.
How to Verify Your Messages Are Secure
WhatsApp allows you to confirm that your messages are safe:
Security Codes
- WhatsApp provides a different security code for each chat.
- You can find the code by choosing the contact in the chat, tapping on their name, and tapping on “Encryption.”
- The code appears as a QR code and also as a 60-character code.
Verifying Security
To verify that your chat is secure:
- Open your chat.
- Tap on the contact’s name at the top.
- Tap on “Encryption” to see the security code.
- Compare codes with your contact (in person or secure app).
If the codes are identical, you confirm that the chat is secure!
When the Codes Change
The code changes at times, and this occurs when (and this is normal):
- Your contact gets a new phone,
- WhatsApp is factory reset/reinstalled
- A new device is added to the account.
What WhatsApp Can and Cannot See
What WhatsApp CANNOT See:
- The messages you send
- Your images and/or videos.
- Your voicemails
- Your conversations during a call
- Your documents shared.
What WhatsApp CAN See:
- That you sent a message (not what it says)
- You’re Last online
- Your profile image and status
- Who are you texting (not what it says)
- The information that is needed for technical purposes to deliver the message.
Bottom Line
WhatsApp employs end-to-end encryption, which means that your personal messages remain strictly between you and the person(s) you are communicating with. Even WhatsApp itself cannot read what you send. End-to-end encryption is automatic, and encryption applies to nearly everything you do in the app, including photos and videos, which maintain their WhatsApp Beta Media Quality while staying completely secure.
While there are exceptions (for example, business messages using special services and payments), WhatsApp explicitly tells you when your messages are not end-to-end encrypted.
When it comes to private conversations with friends and family, you can rest assured that your privacy is protected by some of the best security technology available.
Your digital privacy is important, and WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption protects your personal conversations.
Source: WhatsApp
