WhatsApp is more private now: 10 things you need to know

April 6, 2016

Apr 6: WhatsApp last night turned on the encryption within the app. That has created a lot of buzz. But why and how exactly it affects WhatsApp users?

encryptedWell, sit tight and let us explain it all to you in 10 quick points:

1- Starting Tuesday night, all WhatsApp communication is encrypted. This means, now when you chat with your friends, cyber criminals or even government sleuths will not be able to capture the data and read your chats, even if they are stealing all your Wi-Fi traffic. Although, they can still steal, confiscate or snatch your phone and read all your chats.

2- The WhatsApp encryption is end-to-end. This means the keys to encrypt the chats will be stored only with users. Even WhatsApp won't have any key, so the government can't demand such keys from the company that runs the chat app.

Here is how WhatsApp co-founders explained it: "The idea is simple: when you send a message, the only person who can read it is the person or group chat that you send that message to. No one can see inside that message. Not cybercriminals. Not hackers. Not oppressive regimes. Not even us. End-to-end encryption helps make communication via WhatsApp private - sort of like a face-to-face conversation."

3- For added security, you can even authenticate chats on WhatsApp. This, according to WhatsApp, will be done between users through a QR Code or a 60-digit number.

4- The WhatsApp encryption is 256-bit strong. Theoretically, it is impossible to crack it by brute force method. Although, there could be implementation loopholes that government agencies like the NSA in the US can exploit.

5- If you want to use WhatsApp encryption, all you need to do is download the latest version of the app. It is enabled by default.

6- Now everything is encrypted on WhatsApp. Text, your selfies, the funny videos, even the PJs in school group are encrypted. Isn't it wonderful? Cyber criminals won't even be able to sniff out all the "photoshopped" forwards that you receive in your WhatsApp group.

7- The encryption is not expected to have any significant effect on the user experience. The service will, possibly, continue to be fast and free.

8- The big deal about the WhatsApp encryption is that suddenly over a billion people on earth have access to incredibly secure and private communication. This is unprecedented and makes WhatsApp move wonderful and scary at the same time.

9- According to WhatsApp, its latest feature is built using "the Signal Protocol, designed by Open Whisper Systems." The company says that this protocol is specifically developed to keep third-parties like cyber criminals and government officials away from private communications.

10- At a time when the concept of privacy is almost gone, WhatsApp encryption changes the rule of the game. It will probably force other technology companies to offer encryption by default. As WhatsApp co-founders said, "we expect that (WhatsApp-like encryption) will ultimately represent the future of personal communication".

Comments

I DO NOT THINK SO
 - 
Wednesday, 6 Apr 2016

Big Lie
I request my Muslim brothers stop being emotional on whatsapp/ facebook. There is nothing called freedom of speech on social networking sites. Most of Investigative agencies working in our country are only behind Muslims.

Shodhan
 - 
Wednesday, 6 Apr 2016

wow wonderful whatsapp,

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News Network
July 3,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 3: Opposition leader in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday opined that there is no other option left but to resort to 'Jail Bharo' agitation to expose the ruling BJP government's indulge in 'Corona Corruption' which runs into more than Rs 2000 crore.

Siddaramaiah said that according to a submission to the Karnataka High Court the government has submitted that it has incurred Rs 3,392 crore expenditure for Corona in the State so far. While the market price for equipment purchased will not exceed Rs 1163 crore and it clearly shows that the corruption is to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore.

Siddaramaiah speaking to a private TV channel here on Friday said the chief minister B S Yediyurappa-led State government should come out with a White Paper on the money spent for purchases made facilities provided to patients. 

According to submission to the Court, the Government has purchased 1000 Ventilators by paying Rs 120 crore, while the market price is Rs 40 crores at Rs 4 lakh for each Ventilator. Why is Rs 120 crore more paid, does it not lead to doubt the government's claim. For purchase of kits, mask, gloves etc. it amounted to Rs 1,500 crores but paid by the government was Rs 9,000 crore."

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News Network
March 30,2020

Kochi, Mar 30: Kerala High Court, while hearing a petition filed against Karnataka's decision to block the border with Kerala, on Monday said that no lives should not be lost in the name of fighting coronavirus.

Kerala High Court also said that "the current problem should be resolved amicably. Both the Union government and the Karnataka government should rise to the occasion."
The Central government has informed Kerala High Court that the movement of goods and medical services qualify under essential services, which is permitted despite the lockdown, and added that directions have been issued to give priority to the movement of such goods and services.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has sought a day's time to clarify their stand.

The matter will be taken up for further hearing via video conference tomorrow.
Kerala government has submitted that the action of Karnataka government to close the border is illegal as all the national highways in the country come under the jurisdiction of the National Highway Authority.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan has also approached the Supreme Court seeking directions to open the Karnataka-Kerala border to allow movement of ambulances and other emergency vehicles for the transport of essential items to Kerala.

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coastaldigest.com news network
July 15,2020

Mangaluru, Jul 15: Amidst mounting coronavirus cases, the district administration has finalised 80 covid care centres (CCC) in Dakshina Kannada.

Sindhu B Rupesh, deputy commissioner of DK, said that as many as 80 premises that were functioning as quarantine centres have now been identified as CCCs in the district.

People in the district have been demanding that CCCs should be opened for asymptomatic cases in the district too. 

A majority of around 1,500 active cases in Dakshina Kannada are asymptomatic, and the CCCs will help those planning to go to private hospitals to reduce their treatment costs.

Additional deputy commissioner M J Roopa said that the 80 CCCs identified throughout the district will work as care centres for asymptomatic Covid-19 patients.

A medical team will attend to the centres, and supply of food and water will be taken care of by the government. In case of any health issues, the patient will be shifted to the Covid hospital, she said.

“All asymptotic Covid-19 patients, who are unable to opt for home isolation, are being kept in CCCs. A designated health team will monitor each CCC in the district. Meanwhile, the nearest public health centre (PHC) will have an ambulance on standby in case of an emergency,” she added.

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