WhatsApp Request Denied – But at What Cost?

Although WhatsApp is Facebook-owned now, the app has its own privacy policy that it implements on all communications. WhatsApp functions on the base of end-to-end encryption, which is basically a clever way of jumbling messages up past the point of no return through a code. This is done to protect the information they contain from third parties. The message is encrypted all the way from the sender to the receiver. Of course, this is something worth celebrating in today’s tech world that seems so keen on gathering data of and on us with every given occasion.

Request Denied – But at What Cost?

But what moral limitations apply when the government of a country requests access into WhatsApp’s secret files in order to investigate and monitor terrorism suspects? WhatsApp denied the UK government’s request in this direction recently, and while many were overjoyed with how WhatsApp is becoming a beacon for online privacy, we can’t help but wonder what the implications of this act are.

On the one hand, it is good that WhatsApp refused to give the government a gateway into its conversation records because we all know how this kind of power can end up being abused. But on the other hand, the initial request was a rather noble one. In a world consumed by terror attacks, and in a country so affected by this as the UK, having the ability to monitor suspects can be crucial.

It is a well-known fact that terrorists frequently use WhatsApp to communicate amongst themselves, as well as Telegram. They do this exactly because of the end-to-end encryption system that guarantees their discussions will be kept amongst them. But wouldn’t it be helpful for the authorities to know what they’re planning? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.