Following the recent announcement by WhatsApp that all messages sent via the platform will be fully encrypted, many are wrapping their heads around what the announcement could translate to. With the latest version of the app, messages will not be intercepted as they travel between devices thanks to the new WhatsApp encryption announcement. This means that only the message sender and receiver will have knowledge of what is contained in the message. Interceptions of messages along the way will be a thing of the past with the encryption announcement.

Below are 5 worthy things you should know about the encryption announcement:
What New WhatsApp Encryption is all About Users who make use of the latest whatsApp version will not have major worries of their messages being intercepted along the way thanks to the new encryption policy. With the end-to-end encryption in place, only the two parties concerned (sender and receiver) will have access to the messages on the platform. Even WhatsApp will not have access to the said messages. A special key is only made available to the two concerned parties (sender and receiver) and no one else, which key will help with unlocking and reading the sent message. Additionally, to ensure that there is maximum protection involved, each sent message will have its own unique key and lock.

How will the feature be activated?
The end-to-end encryption feature is automatic in nature with the latest WhatsApp version. This means that you don’t need to follow any set-up process to activate the feature.

Will the New WhatsApp Encryption feature extend to calls?
Yes, the encryption on feature does extend to calls as well, so no third parties will be able to listen in to the calls made between two users. In addition, other media such as audio, video and images are also covered in the end-to-end encryption process. The same applies to groups and files.

How to check if the messages/calls have been encrypted?
It is possible to check if calls or messages feature the end-to-end encryption. All you have to do is to tap the given message and you will be presented with a message notifying you of whether or not the given message is encrypted. In case the message is encrypted, you will have access to a 60-digit number of QR code which can also be scanned with the person you happen to be chatting with.

What protocol is being used for the encryption process?
WhatsApp is making use of ‘The Signal Protocol’ for its new WhatsApp encryption. This protocol was designed by Open Whisper Systems and according to WhatsApp, it has been specifically designed to help keep third –parties such as nosy government officials and cybercriminals away from a private conversation.

What about security agencies?
With the end-to-end encryption in place, security agencies will have a very hard time accessing private conversations. This is because access to the special decryption key will be needed to access the given messages which key can only be accessed by the parties concerned. Not even WhatsApp will have access to the conversations happening on the platform.