WhatsApp is rolling out its new privacy feature ‘end-to-end encryption for backups‘. The company announced the end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups in September to expand security on its platform. The new privacy feature uses two-factor authentication for key stage and cloud storage to enable iOS and Android users to safely save their chat history on iCloud and Google Drive, respectively.
End-to-end encrypted backups for WhatsApp starting to roll out today. Proud of the team for continuing to lead on security for your private conversations. – CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Facebook.
As the rollout is gradual, it is possible that you will receive the features in a few days. Having said that, we have listed down the steps on how you can enable or disable the feature when you receive the feature.
Here is how to enable end-to-end encryption for backups on WhatsApp
All messages on WhatsApp are protected with end-to-end encryption. Now, the company has extended that support to chats in backup for added protection. Follow these easy steps to turn on or off end-to-end encrypted backup on iOS devices.
- Tap on Settings app > WhatsApp
- Select the ‘Chats’ option and tap on ‘Chat Backup’
- In the backup section, enable the ‘End-to-end Encrypted Backup’ option and select Continue to create a password.
- After setting the password, tap on ‘Done’ and wait for the app to prepare an end-to-end encrypted backup.
How to disable end-to-end encryption for backups on WhatsApp
- Open Settings app > WhatsApp
- Tap on Chats > Chat Backup section
- In the backup section, tap on the ‘Turn Off’ option to disable the End-to-end Encrypted Backup.
- Enter the previously set password to complete the process.
- As the last step, tap on Turn Off as confirmation of disabling encrypted backup.
Users must keep in mind that they must save the password in a secure place because if they forget the password they will not be able to restore their backup and will lose the saved WhatsApp chats.
Earlier this year, WhatsApp lost millions of users because of its controversial privacy update which would have shared its users’ data with Facebook, its parent company. The backlash not only made the company abandon that update but also introduce new privacy measures like the latest ‘end-to-end encryption for backups’.
