WhatsApp is finally letting users encrypt the backups of their messages.
Facebook owner Mark Zuckerbergannounced on Thursdaythat the feature is now beingrolled out to iOS and Android users globally.
The feature secures backups stored on Google Drive or Apple’s iCloud with end-to-end encryption.
This encryption will provide moreprivacyandsecurity, but it’s not enabled by default. Here’s how to turn the feature on:
Zuckerberg said that neither WhatsApp nor your backup service provider will be able to read your backups. But bear in mind that you won’t be able to restore your backup if you lose your WhatsApp chats and forget your password or key.
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You can also turn the encryption off by followingthese instructions, although we wouldn’t recommend it. In fact, we’d prefer the encryption to be enabled by default. Nonetheless, the new feature is a welcome improvement.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.
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