WhatsApp stated that each message in the chat is an end-to-end encrypted and thus only the receiver has access to it. This chat is also stored on the cloud in a backup pattern. This backup stored in the cloud is not an encrypted form.
If a user wants to keep their chat private to them, they have to change their backup settings. User has the authority to disable backup to the cloud. This improves the security and privacy of the WhatsApp chat. You must note that this stored backup can be easily accessed or hacked by the third person. It is better to keep your chat safe with you with little settings.
Concerning the latest NCB case in India, there is a huge question on the privacy of WhatsApp chat. This chat became electronic evidence and thus raise the privacy concern. In the last few weeks, it is revealed that the so-called private chat is no more secure with the sender and receiver.
This made 40 crore users insecure about their WhatsApp chats. WhatsApp clarified that the sender’s message is an end-to-end encrypted which can only be seen by the receiver. They also continued that this Facebook-owned application backup its chat to a cloud platform which is iCloud or Google drive. Both the platforms store backup in normal text. Such normal text can be easily accessed or attacked by a third party.
How to keep maintain the privacy of WhatsApp chat?
Users can now do changes in backup settings and keep their chats secured. Backup of your WhatsApp chat eventually gets stored on the cloud. This backup can be hacked by the intruders. If you don’t want to store your WhatsApp chat in the backups, you can simply disable the backup service. This enhances the secrecy of your chat between you and the receiver.
WhatsApp has options that automatically backup chats on the selected pattern. These options include every day, every week, or every month. This backup is stored on your device which is called local backup. WhatsApp then asks the user to set the preferred time to take a backup of this local database to the clouds. Once selected application automatically uploads local backup to the cloud if there is a WiFi connection.
WhatsApp has its backup stored on a cloud platform like iCloud and Google drive. These backups are linked with the email account of the user. Here are the simple steps to disable this backup cycle and improve the privacy of your WhatsApp chat.
Steps for Google Drive backup
- Open the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Touch on the three vertical dots on the right-hand side.
- Select settings > Chat > Chat backup.
- Select backup to google drive.
- Tap on the option never.
Steps for iCloud backup
- Open WhatsApp application.
- Go to settings from the bottom right.
- Select Chats option > Chat backup.
- Touch on Auto Backup.
- Selection option “OFF”.
These settings can be enabled whenever the user feels. These backup settings will block backups to be stored on the cloud and keep it private on your device.
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