WhatsApp says messages on Google Drive not encrypted

WhatsApp's

However WhatsApp's end to end encryption has been questioned by authorities. Notably, the Indiangovernment has called on the messaging platform to offer traceability of messages sent on the app. It has reiterated that WhatsApp has not done enough in using technology to trace the origin of rumours spread on the platform that has led to violence in several parts of the country.

WhatsApp's 

Google Drive

WhatsApp has asserted that its messages are encrypted and it cannot offer traceability.

“As a WhatsApp user you have the choice to not backup your data to Google Drive,” said Sai Krishna Kothapalli, an independent security researcher.“They (WhatsApp) are not forcing you to backup. It is a feature. So, if you trust Google, you can enable it.”

"From a privacy perspective (completely discounting convenience) online backups are no good regardless of who the custodian is. While Google does encrypt files on the server side they also ultimately control the keys for those -- which can be provided to law enforcement authorities on the basis of a warrant," said Karan Saini, independent security researcher.

WhatsApp provides end to end encryption, meaning the message a user sends can only be read by the recipient and vice versa. Further,WhatsApp guarantees protection to users from third parties trying to eavesdrop on conversations, and even prevents WhatsApp itself from reading the messages.

While the messaging platform itself is encrypted, “for users who choose to backup, the messages are decrypted on your phone and sent to your drive as backup,” Kothapallli said, adding that this is where there could be cause for action.

A mail to WhatsApp seeking additional comments did not elicit response on Sunday. A Google spokesperson reiterated a statement on the pact, adding “any backups that have not been updated in more than a year will automatically be removed from storage”.

Separately, Google said on August 16 its customers who buy storage space on Drive that they can manually backup WhatsApp client by October 30.

The backup to Google Drive is a simple way of backing up chat history so if you change devices or get a new one the data isn’t lost.

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How to mobile education

Technical School 

Samsung India on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Micro, 

Add captionTechni

Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to open two more technical training schools and to renew the partnership for 10 existing schools being run across the country.

As per the MoU, the technology giant will open two new MSME-Samsung Technical Schools in Bengaluru and Jamshedpur, the company said in a statement.

"We are committed to creating an industry-ready workforce and provide industry-oriented skills to our youth under the Skill India programme. Samsung has been a valuable partner in our quest to create a vast pool of talent," Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister for MSME, said in a statement.

Reinforcing its commitment to the government's "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign, Samsung also announced the MSME-Samsung Technical School Scholarship programme for girls and differently-abled trainees. A Meritorious Reward Programme for toppers at these institutes has also been launched.

Under the MSME-Samsung Technical School Scholarship programme, 1,000 girls and differently-abled trainees, who have successfully completed the basic course, will be given a scholarship of up to Rs 20,000. 

The toppers among Samsung Technical School students will also be given a reward of Rs 20,000.

"The government, with its ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana', has been trying to generate awareness about various welfare schemes for girls in the country," Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister for Food Processing, said.

Meanwhile, H.C. Hong, President and CEO of Samsung Southwest Asia, said: "Samsung is proud to help impart technical skills to youth of this country. Our collaboration with the Ministry of MSME has enabled us to tap the potential of youth and make them job-ready with the help of the Samsung Technical School initiative."

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