Mobile App 'WhatsApp' Implements End-To-End Encryption by Default Drawing Criticism
Mobile apps have received their fair share of issues including malware and vulnerabilities when it comes to those that run on the Android operating system. App developers have taken major strides in securing their own apps. One particular app, that is taking an unexpected step to safeguard itself and its users, is the WhatsApp messaging platform.
WhatsApp is a well-known mobile app that enables cross-platform mobile messaging. This means those using an iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Phone or Android device can all communicate through messaging without any additional fees from their provider other than normal data usage.
In an effort to combat hackers or cybercrooks from intercepting communications transmitted through WhatsApp, the developers have updated the app to have end-to-end encryption enabled by default. The reasons for making this eyebrow-raising change is not so the developers can sleep better at night, it is more so to address the investigations of the app in claims that it violated privacy acts in both Canada and the Netherlands.
WhatsApp has received criticism over poor implementation of cryptography and its communications with other entities, such as Google Maps. The move to utilize end-to-end encryption, a method for encrypting transmitted data so only the sender and receiver can access the messages, prevents anyone from decrypting the messages, even Apple cannot do it.
On the flip side, there has been a level of disapproval by some in the move to enable such encryption methods on a mobile app. In today's society, when the government agencies of many countries are attempting to monitor everything and everyone suspect of criminal activity, apps that naturally utilize encryption serve as a stumbling block for them to conduct "monitoring" activities. However, agencies like the FBI seem to grumble over the additional privacy methods in widely utilized mediums over the internet and on mobile devices. The FBI has exclaimed that they are "struggling to keep" with cybercrooks who employ encryption.
In looking into the efforts performed by WhatsApp by enabling end-to-end encryption, other sources are thinking of making such strides to protect their own infrastructure and transmitted data. Among those entities is the social networking behemoth, Facebook. Many other companies, such as Google and Apple, have already used some aggressive form of encryption to stay a step ahead of the never-ending fight against data theft over the internet.
The adoption of encryption is a growing dilemma that can closely be compared to a double-edged sword. Some aspects of it are great, but, on the other hand, all law enforcement, that have a job to stop the encryption hackers, may not see it as all rainbows and butterflies. Either way, privacy woes need to be addressed before they get out of hand because hackers are gearing up for their revolution to pilfer as much data as they can for their own benefit and monitory gain.