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End-to-end encryption to Passkey verification: How safety and privacy evolved on WhatsApp over a decade

WhatsApp now has innovative features like end-to-end encryption, two-step verification, biometric locks, disappearing messages, and passkey verification.

Evolution of safety features on WhatsApp. (Image credit: Meta)

Meta’s WhatsApp, despite being a free and ad-free messaging and calling app, known for its ease of use, has integrated itself into our daily lives. With time, it has evolved into a safe and private messaging platform, gaining new safety protocols to help users keep their conversations private. Here’s a look at its evolution.

In 2014, WhatsApp became one of the first instant messaging platforms to introduce read receipts, a feature indicating whether a message has been read. This was later upgraded, where a double tick indicates the message has been delivered, and a double blue tick confirms it has been read.

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In 2016, WhatsApp introduced end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the sender and receiver can read messages, not even WhatsApp itself. A year later, in 2017, two-step verification was added to authenticate users further.

Some of the best safety features on WhatsApp. (Image credit: Meta)

In 2019, WhatsApp unveiled biometric locks like Touch ID and Face ID, adding an extra layer of security to the app. Even if someone gains access to your phone, they still cannot open WhatsApp without biometric verification.

In 2020, the disappearing messages feature was launched, allowing messages to vanish after being read. This was expanded to include photos and videos with the View Once feature. In 2022, screenshot blocking was introduced for View Once content, preventing users from saving sensitive visuals.

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In 2021, WhatsApp extended end-to-end encryption to backups, ensuring that all chat data stored on Google Drive or iCloud is encrypted. Users could enable this feature with a single click, offering enhanced security for archived conversations.

For added privacy, 2022 saw the introduction of the Silence Unknown Callers feature, along with the ability to block and report unknown numbers.

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Most recently, in 2024, WhatsApp implemented passkey verification, a highly secure form of user authentication, further cementing its commitment to privacy.

WhatsApp privacy and innovation features: A timeline
YEAR	FEATURES
2014	● Read Receipts
2016	● End-to-End Encryption
2017	● Two Step Verification
2019	● Unlock via Face ID,vTouch ID ● New Privacy Setting and Invite System for Groups
2020	● Disappearing Messages
2021	● View Once for Photos and Videos ● End-to-end Encrypted Backups ● Message Level Reporting
2022	● Screenshot Blocking for View Once Messages ● Leave Groups Silently ● Hidden Online Presence ● Code Verify ● Accidental Delete
2023	● Private Audience Selector for Status Privacy ● Silence Unknown Callers ● Privacy Checkup ● WhatsApp Channels ● New Block and Report Contact Card ● Passkey Verification on Android
2024	● Group Context Card ● Passkey Verification on iOS ● Meta AI on WhatsApp

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Whatsapp