All articles tagged with #end to end encryption
WhatsApp has introduced optional parental controls for teenagers, allowing parents to manage privacy settings and receive activity alerts without accessing private messages. The move responds to regulatory pressure but faces criticism over its voluntary nature and reliance on user adoption rather than mandatory age verification.
WhatsApp is testing a first‑party iPhone cloud backup option in its iOS beta (TestFlight), letting users choose a backup destination besides iCloud while keeping iCloud as the default. The plan includes 2GB of free WhatsApp storage, a 50GB tier for about $0.99/month, and a possible 1TB option. Backups on WhatsApp’s servers will be end‑to‑end encrypted by default, with encryption not removable. The feature is not yet available to testers and there’s no official launch date yet.
A team behind the Signal protocol is building Encrypted Spaces, open-source infrastructure to bring end-to-end encrypted, verifiable storage to collaboration apps like Slack, Google Docs, and Discord. Described in a Research Preview with a Spaces demo, the project uses zero-knowledge proofs to keep data encrypted on central servers while allowing cryptographically verifiable collaboration. It aims to be a reusable platform for developers rather than a consumer product, potentially fueling encryption-policy debates, with existing options from Proton, CryptPad, and Fileverse offering E2EE tools.
Researchers behind Signal unveiled Encrypted Spaces, an open-source framework and prototype designed to let developers build end-to-end encrypted, multi-user collaboration apps (Slack/Docs-like) by syncing encrypted data via a server-stored change log and using zero-knowledge proofs to verify state without revealing content. The goal is a standardized, privacy-first foundation that supports invites, revocation, notes, and files, while remaining a research prototype rather than a production-ready product.
Proton Mail is expanding its Easy Switch off-ramp from Gmail, now allowing users to send from a Gmail address inside Proton and import Gmail data (attachments, calendars, contacts, and more), while promising stronger privacy through end-to-end encryption and removal of trackers, ads, and spam; Google can’t read your email activity once connected, Proton can auto-pull new messages, and Gmail access to the Proton inbox is not granted, though users can still manage Gmail messages with other clients.
The Texas Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging WhatsApp’s long-standing claim of end-to-end encryption is false and that Meta can read users’ messages. The complaint hinges largely on a Bloomberg report and faces skepticism from cryptography experts, who say there’s little evidence of a bypass of E2EE. Meta calls the charges baseless. A 2023 technical review found WhatsApp generally secure with some design flaws, but did not show breach of its encryption promises.
Discord has enabled default end-to-end encryption for all voice and video calls across desktop, mobile, web, and consoles, extending the DAVE protocol with WebRTC transforms and MLS to minimize latency and secure calls. Stage channels are excluded from encryption, and there’s no opt-in. Text messaging remains unencrypted under this rollout, with Firefox-related compatibility issues resolved during testing.
WhatsApp launches Incognito Chat, a privacy-first Meta AI chat mode that runs AI inference in a Trusted Execution Environment so Meta cannot access prompts or answers; conversations are ephemeral by default and disappear when you end the session, with a potential option later to retain history via Private Processing. It’s currently text-only with plans for image and voice support, and includes a Side Chat feature to discuss ongoing conversations with AI without leaking details.
Apple's iOS 26.5 adds default end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android, enabling secure conversations with a lock icon; the feature rolls out to supported carriers and Google Messages and reflects a GSMA cross-industry effort to modernize messaging, while iOS/iPadOS also receive fixes for 50+ vulnerabilities.
iOS 26.5 adds end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android, brings a new Maps 'Suggested Places' feature (with groundwork for ads), expands EU support for third-party wearables (proximity pairing, notifications, and Live Activities), adds an option to choose which attachments to transfer when moving from iPhone to Android, introduces an Inuktitut keyboard, and fixes over 50 security vulnerabilities.
Apple’s iOS 26.5 adds end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging for Android users via the Messages app, with a lock icon and an “Encrypted” badge; encryption will roll out by default to new and existing RCS conversations, and Android users must be on the latest Google Messages. The update also brings new Maps wallpapers and ads, plus iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5.
Apple released iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, introducing end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android (beta), a new Maps 'Suggested Places' feature with ad groundwork, and a Pride Luminance wallpaper; updates are available OTA with carrier/region caveats, and Apple signals iOS 27/iPadOS 27 previews at WWDC.
Instagram has removed end-to-end encryption for direct messages as of today, meaning DMs are no longer protected from Meta and could be accessed or shared with law enforcement. The feature had been opt-in since 2023 and was never widely rolled out. Meta suggests using WhatsApp for E2EE, as the other Meta apps like Messenger still maintain encryption, while rivals such as iMessage and Signal offer E2EE. The change comes ahead of new privacy-related regulatory efforts, including the Take It Down Act, and users are advised to back up any important messages before the switch.
iOS 26.5 adds end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta for iPhone–Android chats via supported carriers, marking a gradual rollout as compatibility and carrier support vary; while RCS has generally improved cross‑platform messaging, VPNs and carrier limitations can still affect the experience.
Meta says it could withdraw Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp from New Mexico if a court enforces the attorney general’s sweeping safety changes, arguing the requests are vague and technologically infeasible—such as banning end-to-end encryption for minors, implementing age verification, and achieving 99% CSAM detection—and would require Meta to build New Mexico–specific apps; the AG’s push follows Meta’s $375 million verdict in the state and centers on child safety, while Meta contends the demands could cut residents off from the platforms.