WhatsApp Messages will not be Encrypted on Google Drive

It was earlier announced that WhatsApp messages can be saved on Google Drive without taking up any extra storage space. Starting from 12th November 2018, the total storage of Google Drive will not include the space taken up by the backed up WhatsApp messages. On the flip side, the messages that will be stored on the drive will not be encrypted.

WhatsApp on its website confirmed that WhatsApp messages that will be backed up to Google Drive will not be encrypted. Along with the messages, other media content including photos, videos, and audio files can also be accessed and read by anyone who gets access to your account.

The company said,  “Media and messages you back up aren’t protected by WhatsApp end-to-end encryption while in Google Drive.”

A WhatsApp spokesperson said, “Building traceability would undermine end-to-end encryption and the private nature of WhatsApp, creating the potential for serious misuse. WhatsApp will not weaken the privacy protections we provide.”

It is important that before 12th November users backup their data manually. For that, they need to make sure that they have a Google Drive setup. Then they need to tap the menu icon from WhatsApp, tap settings, chats, chat back up. Select the Backup option, the Gmail account where they want to backup the data and automatically all their data will get backed up.

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The recommendation by WhatsApp is to make sure your account is connected to WhatsApp when you backup your files as  “backup files can vary in size and consume mobile data, causing additional charges.”

Due to a deal between WhatsApp and Google, a system change is coming in WhatsApp by November. All user data will be deleted thus it is important to back it up on Google Drive.