WhatsApp's encryption feature, which enables extra security of messages, is under scrutiny after a security expert claimed that he found a way to breach the alleged "end-to-end" encryption system enabled into the Facebook's WhatsApp messenger application.
Pulse Headlines reported, in early 2016, that the popular instant messaging app has enabled an end-to-end encryption aspect implemented into the app's messages exchanged with the users' contacts. The security feature has provided users guarantee that their personal messages are secure and safe.
On July 28, Jonathan Zdziarski, a digital security expert, published an article on his blog claiming that the "Clear All Chats" option of the messenger does not in actual fact delete users' messages.
Zdziarski published all his conclusions, where he also explained how he tested the messenger by using an iPhone device to start some conversations on his account and then clearing, deleting and archiving some of the chats.
He found that chats which were apparently cleared still appeared in the SQLite relational database management system, which means the deleted chats were not actually erased. He also pointed out that every time an iPhone user carries out a backup on iCloud and on a desktop computer, the chat's database is copied.
According to Zdziarski, the chats left in the SQLite database cause some security threats. For example, a hacker with physical access to a device could generate a backup of the chat information and could access personal messages. The same action is possible if a hacker has physical access to a computer device when the un-encrypted backup is stored.
The expert also explains that the only method to delete WhatsApp chat logs is to completely uninstall the application. Zdziarski said for users who need the messenger service but want to curtail the privacy threat, he suggests using iTunes and opting for a very complex backup password.
According to Digital Trends, the statistics reveal that there are over 1 billion active users of WhatsApp and its privacy, as well as encryption, have been major selling points of the messenging system.