WhatsApp backdoor allows snooping on encrypted messages | Technology | The Guardian

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WhatsApp design feature means some encrypted messages could be read by third party

Trade-off between security and usability unlikely to permit systematic surveillance, experts say

via the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jan/13/whatsapp-backdoor-allows-snooping-on-encrypted-messages

Privacy campaigners said the vulnerability is a “huge threat to freedom of speech” and warned it can be used by government agencies to snoop on users who believe their messages to be secure. WhatsApp has made privacy and security a primary selling point, and has become a go to communications tool of activists, dissidents and diplomats.