WhatsApp encryption: 8 things to know

atsApp recently announced that all messages sent on its service are now fully encrypted. The latest version of the app will use security technology that means that messages can't be intercepted as they travel between devices. Encryption ensures that only a message's sender and recipient can read messages, stopping them from being intercepted on their journey.
Here are seven things you need to know about this new security feature in the world's most popular messaging app.
What exactly is it
WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption is available when a user and the person he/she messages to is using the latest version of the app. According to WhatsApp, "Many messaging apps only encrypt messages between you and them, but WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption ensures only you and the person you're communicating with can read what is sent, and nobody in between, not even WhatsApp. This is because your messages are secured with a lock, and only the recipient and you have the special key needed to unlock and read them. For added protection, every message you send has its own unique lock and key."