Aside working on several new features, such as multi-device supportjoinable group call feature, and ability to pick the quality of images and videos before sending them, WhatsApp is already testing end-to-end encryption for cloud backups earlier this year. And now, the company wants to extend this privacy feature to local backups as well.

WhatsApp to Support End to End Encryption for Local Backups

In case you are unaware, WhatsApp has offered end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for chats on its platform since 2014. However, the messaging app does not support E2EE for cloud or local backups. WhatsApp is looking to change that soon, according to tipster WABetaInfo.

End-to-End Encryption for Local Backups on WhatsApp

The E2EE feature on local and cloud backups will allow you to encrypt your backups on your devices as well as on the cloud with a unique password or encryption key. So, when it’s time to restore the chats and media from the cloud or from an older device, users will need to provide their password or encryption key to access the backups.

WhatsApp to Support End to End Encryption for Local Backups 1

This way, users will be able to prevent unauthorized access to their chats and media backups. However, it is worth mentioning that if a user forgets the encryption key or password to access backups, there’s no way to restore the data as the password and encryption key are private. It is not shared with WhatsApp, Facebook, or any other third-party entity.

As for availability, the end-to-end encryption for local backups will be available with a future update, according to WABetaInfo. We will keep you in the loop about developments of this feature, so stay tuned for more updates.

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