WhatsApp may be planning to encrypt voice calls and groups messages. According to a report by The Guardian, the company is planning to introduce the service in the coming weeks. The report also highlighted WhatsApp’s troubles in Brazil, where authorities arrested a Facebook executive on March 1. This was after WhatsApp had told investigators that it lacked the technical ability to provide messages sent by drug traffickers. WhatsApp already offers Android and iPhone users encrypted messaging.
As per the report, Facebook, Google, and Snapchat may also be working to improve the encryption provided by their services. Facebook is planning to improve the security of Messenger and offer encryption on voice calls. Snapchat is also said to be working on a secure messaging system, while Google is looking into encrypted email technology. All this focus on encryption and security comes after Apple’s battle with the FBI in which Apple refused to grant the agency access to the iPhone belonging to the accused in the San Bernardino shooting.