WhatsApp Gains End-to-end Encryption with Open Whisper Partnership
- Wednesday, November 19th, 2014
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WhatsApp has partnered with Open Whisper Systems to incorporate the TextSecure protocol into its messaging service.
This means that messages sent via WhatsApps Android app will, by default, feature end-to-end encryption to protect them from outside interference or surveillance.
This is currently limited to Googles OS, and doesnt include group chat or media messages, but Open Whisper promises it will be rolling out wider support in the near future.
“WhatsApp deserves enormous praise for devoting considerable time and effort to this project,” reads Open Whispers announcement of the partnership. “Even though we’re still at the beginning of the rollout, we believe this already represents the largest deployment of end-to-end encrypted communication in history.
“Their devotion to the project as well as their thoroughness in getting this done are inspiring in a world where so many other companies are focused on surveillance instead of privacy.”