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Are you really better protected with the new WhatsApp functions?
Image: Imago
WhatsApp is introducing a new data protection function that is supposed to better protect sensitive chats. But experts have doubts about its effectiveness and warn against a false sense of security.
Millions of users entrust WhatsApp with their most private conversations every day. Now the messenger giant wants to strengthen confidentiality with a new function. But while the company promises an important step for sensitive communication, there is growing skepticism among data protectionists.
According to WhatsApp, the new option, which is currently being rolled out for individual and group chats, is intended to prevent conversation partners from exporting chat histories or automatically saving media such as photos and videos on their devices. According to the company in a blog post, the aim is to prevent sensitive content from leaving the messenger.
WhatsApp advertises the function as important protection "especially when the need for confidentiality is particularly great", citing health information in self-help groups or organization in communities as examples.
But this is precisely where the criticism comes in. Netzpolitik.org magazine rates the feature as "deceptive security". The core problem: screenshots of chats are still possible without any problems, as is the manual copying or photographing of content. "Anyone who chats with people they do not fully trust is therefore not sufficiently protected despite the new function," the experts argue.
The fundamental problem of sharing by unreliable contacts is not solved. In addition, the data protection experts continue to criticize WhatsApp's general handling of metadata, which the service collects and potentially passes on to authorities. After all, the function could block the recently introduced Meta AI from accessing the content of such protected chats.
Users can activate extended data protection by tapping on the name of the respective chat and selecting the corresponding option. If the menu item does not yet appear, it may be necessary to update the app.
Regardless of the debate about the new data protection function, users of older iPhones will have to be prepared for another change. From May 5, WhatsApp will require iOS 15.1. This means the end of support for the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6.
Netzpolitik.org names Signal as an alternative with a stronger focus on data protection. However, according to MacTechNews, services such as Signal and Threema also require at least iOS 15. Only Telegram is currently satisfied with iOS 12.
