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WhatsApp Enhances‍ Backup Security with Global Passkey Rollout, Ditching⁣ Complex ​Codes for⁢ Biometrics

WhatsApp is rolling out a new system for securing ‌cloud backups globally, replacing the‌ previously used 64-digit key‌ with a more user-kind passkey system linked to ⁤device biometrics. This update allows users to utilize Touch ID or Face ID to​ safeguard their chat ​history, considerably improving both security and ease of use.

The change builds upon WhatsApp’s‌ existing end-to-end encrypted backup feature, introduced ⁤in 2021, which offered‌ strong security⁤ but presented challenges due to⁤ the ⁤difficulty of securely storing and managing the lengthy key.⁣ Passkeys address this issue by keeping the private cryptographic key securely stored‍ on the user’s device. Authentication is then performed​ locally using fingerprint or facial recognition, ⁤offering enhanced protection against remote attacks and a smoother restoration process​ when switching phones.

This move⁢ aligns⁤ with a broader industry trend towards ⁣passkey adoption, aiming ⁤to​ simplify security for a vast number of users and ‍make robust ‌data protection ⁣the⁣ standard. According to ⁤Reuters, the goal is to make strong security the most convenient option.

For WhatsApp’s ‍billions of users, this update eliminates the‍ need to⁤ remember another complex password. The ⁤technical hurdles to enabling fully‍ encrypted⁣ backups‍ are now substantially reduced. Security experts have consistently advocated for this type of user-centric advancement.

To enable the new feature, users will‌ navigate ⁣to ‍Settings > Chats > Chat ⁢Backup within the‌ WhatsApp application and select the‌ End-to-end ‍encrypted backup ⁣option. Backups will continue to be stored on iCloud for iPhone users ⁢and ​Google Drive for Android users, but will now ‍be secured with ‌a passkey.

This⁢ rollout follows ​WhatsApp’s earlier integration of passkey support for⁢ account‌ authentication in 2023, ⁣demonstrating meta’s commitment ‍to a passwordless ⁣future ​across its services.

The global⁢ deployment of WhatsApp passkey backups represents a‌ major advancement in making mainstream, accessible encryption a reality for personal data.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What ​is⁣ a WhatsApp passkey ⁢backup? It’s a new method for securing your cloud‍ chat backups using your‌ device’s biometrics (fingerprint or ​face scan) instead of‌ a 64-digit⁢ code, ensuring only you can access ‌your backup.

How do I enable passkey backups? ⁤Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and ‌select End-to-end encrypted backup,‍ then follow the on-screen instructions. The⁤ feature will become available in the ⁣app over the coming ⁢weeks.

Where are my backups stored? Your backups remain​ in the same location: iCloud for⁤ iPhone users‌ and Google‍ Drive for Android users. The passkey simply changes how the data is encrypted and unlocked, not where it’s stored.

Is this more secure than the previous ‌method? Yes. Passkeys leverage your device’s secure hardware, and the ⁣private key never leaves your phone, mitigating the risk of ⁢losing⁣ or having the 64-digit key compromised.

What if ⁣I lose my ⁤phone? ⁣ You can still recover your backup on a ⁣new⁤ device. The recovery ⁤process will⁤ require authentication using‍ the passkey, tied to⁢ your biometrics, on your new device.