WhatsApp is closed source. Meta can always see your messages. It might be end-to-end encrypted and they might make a copy for meta. And that would still satisfy the end-to-end promise. You can't trust closed source for end-to-end encryption.
this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2023
44 points (97.8% liked)
Privacy
31982 readers
392 users here now
A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.
Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.
Some Rules
- Posting a link to a website containing tracking isn't great, if contents of the website are behind a paywall maybe copy them into the post
- Don't promote proprietary software
- Try to keep things on topic
- If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered
- Reposts are fine, but should have at least a couple of weeks in between so that the post can reach a new audience
- Be nice :)
Related communities
Chat rooms
-
[Matrix/Element]Dead
much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)
founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
You literally missed the definition of end-to-end encryption.
If Meta can see the messages, then that's not e2ee
I'm trying to illustrate that corporations will use weasel language entirely to their advantage.
I have to fight spammers and scammers, I need to be able to inspect message contents. But customers also went into an encryption. So I offer them end to end encryption but I also make a copy for myself. So it's closed source and in public I can just say hey you've got end to end encryption. And be truthful about it, but I also have an administrative side channel where I get a copy of the message.
Or it might be end-to-end encrypted but a copy of the key is preserved for administrative purposes that WhatsApp controls. We just don't know
Weasel language is something we have to defend against, and the only real defense is open source, so we can't trust WhatsApp to protect your end-to-end privacy
As others have said both options are inferior to Signal because you can't verify the privacy claims Meta makes.
However I'd argue that WhatsApp Web is slightly better, because it being a web app means Meta can collect less data about you compared to a phone app.
Meta still controls all the code running in the web app. They may be scraping your messages just like they have the option on Android.
It can still be end to end encrypted with them sending themselves a copy from the unencrypted text boxes you see
He refers to the fact that the web app does not have default access to your device sensors, microphone, storage, etc.
for anyone not aware, if you're using the web based version of anything on a corporate/company device, assume all traffic can be intercepted by your admins. it's very easy to do and considered a requirement on some fields.
if you trust meta, then no, they can't see your messages either way. But you have to trust them blindly... signal is better
I would second Signal. In recent months I’ve seen it grow in popularity in Sweden.
If I use WhatsApp Web, will Meta be able to see the contents of my WhatsApp messages?
Just as much as they would be able to see the contents of your messages when you use the app. The answer to this question depends on how much you trust Meta to stick to their claims. As others have already said here, use Signal if you are looking for a private messenger.