It’s not clear exactly what the FBI does with WhatsApp, but Acton, Koum, and Marlinspike think it does. While the content encryption on WhatsApp keeps them from cracking your messages, the service can be useful for tracking suspects, as it can reveal when they talk to each other. Not only that, but the app can even help the feds discover the suspects’ contact information. This article will explain how and why the FBI might use WhatsApp, as well as Signal and Telegram.
Acton, Koum and Marlinspike believe the FBI uses
There have been concerns that the FBI might use WhatsApp to spy on its users. But what can a government agency do with a messaging app? Despite the fact that iMessage is limited to iPhone-to-iPhone communication, WhatsApp has far more capabilities than the typical messenger app. And, just like iMessage, WhatsApp’s encryption can help protect sensitive information from government authorities.
Telegram
In recent months, the FBI has been investigating how the right-wing extremists use Telegram to communicate. While Telegram does not provide complete encryption, it does have the added benefit of not requiring any kind of user identification. The service also allows users to broadcast and chat in group settings, though this doesn’t fully protect communications. Therefore, the FBI is using Telegram to investigate terrorism and other threats, as well as to help law enforcement agencies detect and prevent cybercrime.
Signal
The FBI can obtain limited amounts of data from six popular encrypted messaging apps, including WhatsApp and Signal. Apple’s built-in iMessage and Facebook’s WhatsApp are the least secure of the lot. In fact, the two most secure apps appear to be Signal and Telegram, although they may also share user’s IP address and phone numbers in the case of terrorist investigations. Still, there’s no guarantee of privacy. The FBI’s document only outlines how law enforcement officials can use a particular encrypted messaging app.
Apple iCloud stores non-encrypted message backups
A former FBI official told CNN that the FBI demanded a backdoor to Apple devices in order to access non-encrypted message backups. The FBI complained that securing these backups would hamper their investigations. In response, how to hack a phone lock code Apple dropped its plans to fully encrypt backups. It also denied any legal obligation to do so or any threat to its assets. But a former FBI official said that the FBI and Apple are now working together.
Pen register
The FBI has various ways of obtaining data from WhatsApp users. These include a pen register, which is a device used for capturing metadata such as the sender and receiver of a message. The device can also be used to obtain user contact lists and other data. It also has the ability to retrieve basic subscriber information, including the address book of a target. Depending on the circumstances, the FBI may also have access to iCloud backups of a user’s iPhone.