New Delhi: WhatsApp violations are visible to everyone in bold, terrifying headlines across the internet. Due to the nature of their sensitive and private discussions, users have felt threatened by a number of WhatsApp leaks, and many wonder how reliable WhatsApp’s claim of end-to-end encryption is.
The main message for WhatsApp users is that the security of the app is quite high. WhatsApp has stated that no third party can see anyone else’s WhatsApp chats, photos or videos. Facebook has no access to the information and WhatsApp has no access to it either. The talks can only be read by the sender and recipient of WhatsApp. Nobody can claim to not have access to this encryption because it is enabled by default.
WhatsApp leaks will continue to occur. If you’re not careful what you do on WhatsApp or how you use your phone, you too could be at risk. You could be in contact with criminals, transmit or receive restricted content, or do something else that is considered illegal. So if someone you talked to on WhatsApp is arrested by the authorities, suspicion will fall on you. So, no, it won’t protect you.
In the end, all of your information will be stored on your phone or on a cloud drive. If misconduct or criminal behavior is suspected, the same information can be passed on to state authorities upon request.
Then there are WhatsApp leaks of a different kind. These occur when someone gains access to another person’s phone and takes photos of their WhatsApp conversations or takes screenshots. This is a breach that occurs outside of the realm that WhatsApp operates in and over which it has no authority. Anyone who steals or loses your smartphone while you are not looking can take screenshots of your private data, pictures, and videos and then “leak” the material to others.
There is another possibility for WhatsApp leaks. WhatsApp users often download apps that turn out to be malware. They’re mainly designed to steal money, but they can also take away data and communications. If a WhatsApp user downloads such an app, they are putting their privacy at risk. Even secure platforms like Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and others can be used to download malware. These malicious programs are disguised as legitimate apps. The latest is the well-known Squid Game. In fact, Google just removed 150 apps from its Play Store.
WhatsApp is alleged to have collected information that its parent company Facebook wants to use for commercial purposes. This can be in the form of usernames, phone numbers, and location to help understand the user’s footprints and deliver targeted advertising to him or her.
Your safety is ultimately in your control. You should be careful about what you discuss with your friends, family, and co-workers. Your conversations will eventually transmit to large numbers of people, including complete strangers. If the chats contain inappropriate content, they can be used against you. So first of all, don’t do the following five things on WhatsApp:
1. Don’t talk about anything that might be considered criminal on WhatsApp, even if it’s just about to be – drugs, porn, abuse, and so on.
2. Do not post or discuss compromising photos or videos of yourself or others on WhatsApp.
3. Never discuss or reveal any financial transactions on WhatsApp.
4. Do not talk about events you have attended or reveal if you have behaved atypical.
5. Always remember that prudence, whether on WhatsApp or in real life, is the better part of bravery.
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