Question regarding end-to-end encryption on WhatsApp

[seadrag0n]

As WhatsApp has mentioned on this page, no one can read what messages users are sending to each except the users themselves, not even WhatsApp can read or access them. Here in the UAE, social media activity is monitored very closely by the government and if someone uses abusive language over social media or share illicit content be it Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etc, they are fined heavily, jailed and ultimately deported in case of expats.

My question is due to the end-to-end encryption on WhatsApp, since the government cant get access to messages being sent or any illicit activity going on, do you think WhatsApp will be banned here? They are sure to take some action regarding this.

 

[bononos]

Whatsapp uses your phone number as your Whatsapp id so you don't have anonymity even if the encryption is secure. Anyone who gets to join your WA group chats would get to know everyones identity/phone number.

So it might be better to look for a more privacy conscious app which can be registered using an anonymous email. The security subforum might be helpful.

 

[John Connor]

Know next to noting about whatsapp, but I do know about Telegram...

 

[cronos]

My friends who live (or lived) in the UAE think that yes, Whatsapp will soon be banned there as well. We had to keep our group in Whatsapp because there are a few of us who live in the area and therefore Telegram doesn't work. Not sure where we're moving now if Whatsapp is also banned.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Whatsapp uses your phone number as your Whatsapp id so you don't have anonymity even if the encryption is secure. Anyone who gets to join your WA group chats would get to know everyones identity/phone number.

So it might be better to look for a more privacy conscious app which can be registered using an anonymous email. The security subforum might be helpful.

That's how Signal works too... via phone #.

Encryption isn't meant for anonymity.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

My friends who live (or lived) in the UAE think that yes, Whatsapp will soon be banned there as well. We had to keep our group in Whatsapp because there are a few of us who live in the area and therefore Telegram doesn't work. Not sure where we're moving now if Whatsapp is also banned.

Yikes. Didn't know that about the UAE. Are you allowed to VPN? That's a shame WhatsApp is targeted like that. I doubt that WhatsApp allows the UAE to do mass surveillance though. It's still likely warrant based on the non-encrypted chats.

 

[cronos]

Yikes. Didn't know that about the UAE. Are you allowed to VPN? That's a shame WhatsApp is targeted like that. I doubt that WhatsApp allows the UAE to do mass surveillance though. It's still likely warrant based on the non-encrypted chats.

Probably the way I worded it, but Whatsapp is not banned in the UAE (so far), but (as the OP mentioned) as it now supports end to end encryption, there is a potential that it might be banned later (Telegram has been blocked there for a while).

 

[poofyhairguy]

I would have to think Whatsapp is too big. Eventually it becomes like the drug war, people won't follow the law. That is why its so exciting for Whatsapp to do this.