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The copy of the backup on Google drive/storage (whatever they call the app backup) is completely unencrypted. Google won’t just give it to you - if you want it
by beagle3 5y ago
The copy of the backup on Google drive/storage (whatever they call the app backup) is completely unencrypted.
Google won’t just give it to you - if you want it, you have to impersonate the WhatsApp app.
The local backup on your device is encrypted. Facebook will give it to anyone who can read their SMS message, as long as they also impersonate WhatsApp.
The bottom line is that without much work, google has full access to your data in whichever way they desire, but you only have access through the sanctioned app.
Which means for a state level actor, it’s at most one subpoena and likely they have streamlined that XKeyScore style, so not even that.
- strogonoff 5y agoCan WhatsApp’s own backup be turned off? On the iOS side of things, if WhatsApp data gets backed up to iCloud alongside the rest of the device, it will be encrypted but not E2E (which makes it largely pointless)—however, you can turn iCloud backup off.
- beagle3 5y agoIt can be turned off, but IIRC it's on by default, and probably on for 99% of all users.
- tgsovlerkhgsel 5y ago> The copy of the backup on Google drive/storage (whatever they call the app backup) is completely unencrypted. Any idea why they do that, instead of applying exactly the same encryption? Also, is there any place where this is documented (where I can point people to that ask me the same question)?