WhatsApp announced a couple of months ago that encrypted backups would arrive and we didn’t have to wait too long to see this promise fulfilled.
Security is a very important element in the lives of users and instant messaging applications know it. In recent years we have seen how they have been integrating different improvements to give a greater sense of security.
The latest known is end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp has had this in its chats for a couple of years, but this was not present in the backups that are stored in the cloud.
And, although these copies have their own security system. End-to-end encryption adds an even greater layer that few cybercriminals are able to crack. A few months ago it was announced that this encryption would reach backup copies.
We haven’t had to wait too long WhatsApp has started rolling out end-to-end encryption on backup. Also, this time no distinctions are made. The feature will begin to reach Android and iOS terminals alike.
What those from WhatsApp have commented is that now the backups can be sent encrypted to the server in the cloud that we choose. When launched in this way, none of these services will be able to access the data or files.
Of course, there is an important fact. And, is that, to be able to access these copies we need a 64-digit key that WhatsApp will provide us to decrypt this backup. If we lose the key we will not be able to access that specific copy.
The deployment at least for the moment is being done progressively, so do not despair if you do not get the possibility of creating an encrypted backup on your device.
Most likely, this feature will start to arrive first at some devices and then the vast majority. Of course, having end-to-end encryption is not a one hundred percent guarantee against data theft or leaks.