WhatsApp is reportedly working on adding a new label to indicate that conversations are end-to-end encrypted

WhatsApp has been spotted working on a new end-to-end encryption (E2EE) label for individual and group conversations, which is reportedly under development. The popular messaging app will display a message in chats confirming that messages sent and received are encrypted and WhatsApp does not store any information. The new encryption visibility feature comes just days after Meta published a post highlighting the issues it faced with E2EE and the resulting delays in implementing third-party chats in Europe following the adoption of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). .

Spotted by feature tracker WABetaInfo, the new development was seen in the WhatsApp Android 2.24.6.11 beta for some beta testers. The update was released on March 9 through the Google Play beta program. The report claims that the feature has only reached some beta testers, which points to a limited release. This is likely because it is still in its early stages and the developers intend to make more changes to it.

WhatsApp’s new end-to-end encryption label
Photo: WABetaInfo

According to the report, a new label stating end-to-end encrypted was visible below where the contact name or group name is displayed. The text was preceded by a padlock icon. The label disappears after a few seconds, showing the last seen status in individual conversations and the names of participants in group conversations. This appears to be a new layer of in-app encryption visibility.

Interestingly, WhatsApp now displays an E2EE label on the home screen at the bottom of the screen, below all chats. It also shows the same in voice and video call screens, statuses, etc. Additionally, users can always go to Encryption tab on the contact information page and check the encryption manually. According to the report, with this label, the messaging app can provide a proactive reminder of the encryption status in a place where it is easily visible to the user.

This would be useful given that Meta recently highlighted the risk of encryption with third-party chats in Europe. The company, which uses the Signal Protocol-based Noise Protocol Framework to encrypt data, said that while it will take responsibility for ensuring encryption at the end of the WhatsApp user and during data transit, it cannot do the same , after the data reaches the third end of the party platform. It should be noted that the social media giant has asked messaging apps to sign an agreement with Meta and use either the Signal protocol or another compatible protocol.