ProPublica has released a new investigation report into Facebook’s privacy practises and the encryption of its WhatsApp messaging app. The report highlights a number of key findings that aren’t made public to the 2-billion-strong user base.
Despite the fact that WhatsApp features end-to-end encryption since 2016, there are some instances where the 1,000 contractors using Facebook’s unique software can read messages transferred between users. When someone reports a message, even if it’s in a private chat, the AI algorithm will scan for suspect behaviour such as terrorism, child abuse, and so on. The reported message, along with four previous messages, would then be forwarded to a real user for evaluation.
All of these practices are stated in the users’ privacy policy, according to the research, but you have to dig deep to uncover them. Facebook claims that these practices are based on user’s feedback and that they are certain that users understand what happens once a report is submitted.
In other words, WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption may not be as secure as the continuous popups on the screen suggest.