How secure are your chats?
WhatsApp recently updated their privacy policy and people are really worried whether WhatsApp has access to their chats and are they going to share it with Facebook.
When it comes to privacy of your chats, the word 'encryption' or 'end-to-end encryption' is used very often.
Let's just understand what it is and how it secures your private messages.
In cryptography, encryption is the process of encoding information. This process converts the original representation of the information, known as plaintext, into an alternative form known as ciphertext. Ideally, only authorized parties can decipher a ciphertext back to plaintext and access the original information.
Signal has emerged as a competitor of WhatsApp recently. And there is a reason for that. Signal is the king of privacy. It never logs any of its users’ metadata
WhatsApp, in fact, uses Signal Encryption Protocol for its service.
THE SIGNAL PROTOCOL
(formerly known as the TextSecure Protocol) is a non-federated cryptographic protocol that can be used to provide end-to-end encryption for voice calls, video calls,and instant messaging conversations. The protocol was developed by Open Whisper Systems in 2013[2] and was first introduced in the open-source TextSecure app, which later became Signal.
So what is the fuss about sharing your data with Facebook?
WhatsApp has posted a clarification on its updated policy, reassuring users that their messages are secure and cannot be read by the platform.
However, it will share your data like phone number, your device information, and some of your usage information.
So what is the fuss about WhatsApp sharing your data with Facebook?
WhatsApp has posted a clarification on its updated policy, reassuring users that their messages are secure and cannot be read by the platform.
However, it will share your data like phone number, your device information, and some of your usage information.
India does not have a stand-alone personal data protection law to protect personal data and information shared or received in electronic form.
So, we need to be careful before accepting the privacy policy . When you click on 'accept', a legal agreement is created between you and the company. Therefore, it is advised to read it carefully and decide whether you want the service at the cost of your privacy.
HOW TO MAKE SURE END-TO-END ENCRYPTION IS WORKING
Open any chat and tap the name of the contact. Then, tap encryption, and you’ll see a QR code along with a 60-digit number. If you’re right next to that contact, scan the QR code on each other’s screens or compare the 60-digit number. If you scan the code and it is the same for your contact, a green checkmark will pop up onscreen. With this match, you can be certain nobody is intercepting your communications.
Read it on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/theanand17_the-signal-protocol-activity-6754761311504232448-S2Hh
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