WhatsApp is currently testing a new in-app label that lets you know if a chat room has end-to-end encryption (E2EE).
WABetaInfo discovered the title in the latest Android beta. According to the post, it will appear below the contact and group name, but only if the conversation is encrypted by the company's “Signal Protocol” (not to be confused with the Signal messaging app; the two are different). to serve as a “visual confirmation” that informs everyone that outside forces cannot read what they are talking about or listen to phone calls. WABetaInfo adds that the text will disappear after a few seconds, allowing the Last Seen indicator to take its place. At this time, it is unknown if the two lines will switch back and forth or if Last Seen will permanently take the place of the E2EE label.
This may not seem like a big deal since it's just four words with a lock icon. However, this small change is important because it indicates that Meta is willing to embrace third-party interoperability.
📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.6.11: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to indicate when chats are end-to-end encrypted and it's available to some beta testers! Some users can get this feature by installing the above updates. pic.twitter.com/KsTa13z0BOMarch 9, 2024
Third Party Compatibility
On March 6, the tech giant published a report on its Engineering at Meta blog detailing how interoperability will work in Europe. The EU passed the Digital Markets Act in 2022 which, among other things, implemented new rules forcing major messaging platforms to allow users to communicate with third-party services.
Meta's post goes into detail and explains how interoperability will work. The main takeaway is that the company wants partners to use its signaling protocol. The standard serves as the basis for E2EE on WhatsApp and Messenger, so they want everyone to be on the same playing field.
Other services don't have to use Signal. They can use their compatible protocols, although they must demonstrate that they offer “the same security guarantees.”
The wording here is pretty simple: if a service doesn't have the same level of protection, then WhatsApp won't communicate with it. However, the beta suggests that Meta is willing to be flexible. They may not completely exclude platforms that are not supported by Signal. At a minimum, the company will inform its users that certain chat rooms may not be as well protected as those that have E2EE enabled.
Interested Android owners can install the update from the Google Play Beta program, although there's a chance you won't receive the feature. WABetaInfo claims that it is only available to a handful of testers. It is not known if WhatsApp on iOS will see the same patch.
While we have it, be sure to join TechRadar's official WhatsApp channel to get the latest reviews on your phone.
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