Arabella Asis Tech 03.11.2024 20:Mar PM EDT

WhatsApp Rolls Out Beta for End-to-End Encryption Marker

WhatsApp announced that it has started rolling out a new feature that will mark chats that are end-to-end encrypted.

The new beta feature is already available to select users while others will receive it over the following weeks.

(Photo : Adam AY via Unsplash)

WhatsApp Embraces End-to-End Encryption for Chats

In an announcement, WhatsApp explained that the new feature will make it easier for users to identify which chats are protected by end-to-end encryption. In addition, it aims to provide the users with a convenient identification that the conversation is secured, especially for confidential chats.

"With this enhancement, users are always aware when their chats are securely encrypted using the Signal protocol, serving as a visual confirmation that nobody can read their messages and listen to their calls," WABetaInfo reported.

However, the marker will disappear after a few seconds, allowing the last-seen info to appear in the conversation. Users can easily spot if the chat is encrypted since it will appear at the bottom of the conversation's name or the name of the contact person.

WhatsApp Welcomes Changes After DMA

Last week, the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) was finally implemented. This means that WhatsApp must open its messaging platform to other companies.

Under the DMA, the messaging app was tagged as a gatekeeper, so it was required to make significant changes that would allow it to continue its service within the EU regions. The WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.5.18 already indicated that the company is working on its chat interoperability feature.

Soon enough, WhatsApp users would allow EU users to receive messages from Messenger, Signal and iMessage. All the connected messaging will be shown on the WhatsApp interface automatically.

However, the beta update has only been seen on the Google Play Store. The company is yet to disclose its plans for the iOS version.