"The messaging platform is launching passkey-encrypted backups for iOS and Android, allowing users to quickly encrypt their stored message history using their face, fingerprint, or device screen lock code. The update is rolling out "gradually over the coming weeks and months," according to WhatsApp, and will make it easier to apply the same security measures that protect personal chats and calls to backups."
"End-to-end encryption for backups was already introduced in 2021, but required WhatsApp users to save a 64-digit encryption key or create a password tied to the key. Passkeys, a login technology that replaces passwords with authentication systems like facial recognition built into your devices, removes these cumbersome steps. WhatsApp already rolled out passkey support for account logins in 2023, with this latest passkey expansion suggesting that the platform is taking steps to embrace a future that ditches passwords entirely."
WhatsApp is enabling passkey-encrypted backups on iOS and Android so users can secure stored message history with face, fingerprint, or device screen lock codes. The rollout will occur gradually over weeks and months. The feature applies the same security that protects chats and calls to backup files. End-to-end encrypted backups originally required users to store a 64-digit encryption key or set a password tied to the key. Passkeys replace that requirement by using built-in device authentication and remove the need to memorize or manage long keys. WhatsApp previously added passkey support for account logins in 2023.
Read at The Verge
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