WhatsApp messenger

In the age of security and privacy, Whatsapp and Facebook does not seem to get the memo, and have ignored a security flaw that was raised in 2019 by a Twitter user, @hackrzvijay. What this means is that the private Whatsapp group is not private as some google search for this Whatsapp message could actually be found via Google, as Google indexes all these chats.

                  

Normally, Private Whatsapp groups are only joined by moderator/admin of the group creating an invite link with some strings that is sent to prospective members that wants to join the group, but as it now turns out, anyone that knows how to use Google search can now search for the URL strings, and join the groups.

Though over the years, people have always pointed fingers at Google for its non-privacy and intrusive policy, only that this time, this issue is from Whatsapp, or Facebook (Since it owns Whatsapp).

How To Find Private Chat Link

To find a private chat link, go on Google and use the URL, “chat.whatsapp.com” string and enter strings that relate to your chat group. This will show different private groups, including pornography material, forex and another NGO accredited by the United Nations. This group also shows the member's information, and also their phone numbers.

 

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Whatspp have finally added the feature that will allow you to unsend/delete a message you sent by mistake, or are embarrassing.

We have all wish to bring back those messages we had sent to friends or relatives, or wish we had not sent them to the recipient. The new feature will allow you to recall the message within 7minutes after you had sent it to the recipient.

This can be used if you send a message to friends on Whatsapp or to a group on Whatsapp

                            

The feature is currently rolling out to Android and iOS users, so if you are yet to have this new feature on your phone, just hold on until the feature is in your country for download.

The feature will allow you to remove messages you had sent, but want to recall or delete it either for everyone or just yourself.

How To Delete Sent Messages On Whatsapp

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the chat containing the message you wish to delete.

2. Tap and hold the message. Optionally, tap more messages to delete multiple messages at once.

3.Tap Delete  at the top of the screen > Delete for everyone.

You should know that your recipient must be using an updated version of Whatsapp too, and they might have seen your messages, or screenshot them, but you can still delete anyways. If the deletion of messages for everyone failed, you will not be notified.

Read Whatsapp FAQ here

Deleting messages for everyone allows you to delete specific messages you have sent to either a group or an individual chat. This is particularly useful if you sent a message to the wrong chat or if the message you sent contains a mistake.

Messages you successfully delete for everyone will be replaced with "This message was deleted" in your recipients' chats (*). Similarly, if you see "This message was deleted" in a chat, it means that the sender deleted their message for everyone.

You can only delete messages for everyone for up to seven minutes after sending. Once seven minutes have passed, there is no way to delete messages for everyone. To delete messages for everyone

 

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The UK government has gotten a rejection of its request earlier this year asking WhatsApp to build a backdoor that will allow it to access data on criminals using the chat service to communicate. 

The UK government, after a series of terrorist attacks on it soil has called for the backdoor from tech companies like Telegram and WhatsApp, a well known service by terrorist to communicate because of the encryption service both services provide.

                    

The UK government is looking to reach a compromise with tech companies that will allow it to accept the warrant during investigations, but the tech companies believe such security compromise with government will undermine the security services they had promised their users.

The issue between government accessing users' messages and tech companies started with the UK government after they could not read the messages sent and received by Khalid Masood, a perpetrator of the Westminster attack.

The UK government is not the only one seeking to have access to the information, the US government Vs Apple too happened after the  San Bernardino attack. The back and forth court case generated a lot of reactions from citizens that believes that Apple should not protect people that are attacking US citizens, including the then candidate Trump, saying he would ditch his Apple Phone for Samsung if Apple won't help FBI access the messages of the San Bernadino attackers.

Tim Cook while responding to the allegations, said that weakening encryption for the government will only affect the public while terrorists will find other ways to communicate as they always do.

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The latest development by WhatsApp messenger could be a major move in the right direction for users, and also could be a major block for the app in countries like India, UK and France. The latest end-to-end encryption means that users messages cannot be intercepted by hackers, oppressive governments or other law enforcement agencies.

                 

The popular messenger is currently facing ban in the UK as new laws is being proposed to stop people from sending any form of encrypted messages.

Speaking earlier this year, the UK prime minister, David Cameron said;

 In our country, do we want to allow a means of communication between people which we cannot read?My answer to that question is no we must not. If I am Prime Minister, I will make sure it is a comprehensive piece of legislation that makes sure we do not allow terrorist safe spaces to communicate with each other.

Another country that the popular ap might face ban is India. The country has a strict law on encrypted messages, and WhatsApp latest updates breaks this tough rule, and if the update is not reversed, WhatsApp might loose 100million fans of the app using it in India.

WhatsApp is a popular app in India, and banning the app might cause outrage among the users, but it might be blocked if the government sees it will caue security threats in the country.

France government is also looking into blocking out such services after the Paris attack incident, and also the FBI vs Apple case, and had said it will punish any security outlet in the country that refuses to cooperate with the government agencies to track down terrorists in the country.

Brazil also blocked WhatsApp app in the country after the company refuses to release a message of a suspect to the police in a court case. 

WhatsApp might face different bans in different countries, but we all await to see how this one comes out

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