WhatsApp to verify security codes for end-to-end encryption: Why it matters?

Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp is reportedly testing an automatic security code verification feature for end-to-end encryption. This feature is expected to automatically verify security codes for end-to-end encryption. It is currently being tested on Android, as per the report.

According to a report by a known WhatsApp tipster publication, WABetaInfo, the messaging platform is rolling out an automatic security code verification feature for end-to-end encryption to a limited number of beta testers on Android.

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Credit: WABetaInfo

For this new feature, WhatsApp is expected to introduce a revamped encryption verification screen. With this feature, the app will likely try to automatically verify whether messages are end-to-end encryption without requiring any user intervention.

This process is known as “Key Transparency,” as per the report. The automatic security code verification feature is expected to enhance the overall security and privacy of users’ conversations by checking if they are using a secure connection.

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The introduction of this new automatic security code feature along with the key transparency process will likely make end-to-end encryption verification more easier and faster. 

“This feature is particularly beneficial in scenarios where traditional QR code scanning or manual verification is complicated, such as when users need to verify encryption remotely with ease,” the report said.

With this feature, WhatsApp aims to provide users with more security without any additional effort when verifying end-to-end encryption.

The Meta-owned instant messaging platform is also reportedly testing a new video avatar calling feature. This feature is expected to allow users to replace themselves with avatars during video calls. It is currently rolling out to some beta testers on Android. Given that WhatsApp is owned by Meta, it's worth noting that Meta introduced the real-time avatar calling feature for Instagram and Messenger in July. Therefore, it's possible for WhatsApp to incorporate such a feature in the future.