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Proton just acquired one of Android's best note-taking apps
Standard Notes will fold into Proton’s suite of encrypted apps
If you take a lot of notes on your phone, the app you use can play a critical role in your efficiency. That being said, there is hardly a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the note-taking app you use, you could be spending more time than you would like on keeping your notes organized and secure. Standard Notes is one option that has grown in popularity among avid note-takers for its end-to-end encryption. Now, one of the leaders in end-to-end encryption apps is bringing Standard Notes into the fold.
Proton Pass Plus will soon lower its subscription price, passing savings to users
Unlike every other subscription service, Proton does right by its users
It’s not every day that you hear about a company reducing the price of its services, especially when it’s a recurring cost. Consumers almost expect the price of a subscription to increase at some point during the length of its term, regardless of the goods and services. Now, Proton is breaking the trend with a surprising decrease in price for subscribers of one of its most popular services.
Proton wants to be your privacy-first Google Photos alternative
Proton Drive's photo backup feature automatically syncs new uploads across multiple devices
End-to-end encryption can give you peace of mind, whether you’re sharing or storing photos, videos, or other types of media across devices. However, not all products and services are this secure. Those that offer end-to-end encryption may require extra effort to ensure that it is enabled. If you want to worry less about privacy and security, you might want to look into Proton. The company offers an extensive suite of end-to-end encrypted products and services, including email and cloud storage. Now, Proton is taking aim at Google Photos by launching a new backup feature specifically for photos.
Signal is now testing public usernames to help users maintain chat privacy
Aliases would allow users to send messages without using their full name
While Signal may not be as widely known as instant messengers like WhatsApp, the end-to-end encrypted messenger remains one of the most secure in its class. Additionally, it’s operated by a non-profit, and the open-source software is still entirely free to use. That being said, some of Signal’s features have been questioned by users who want anonymity while using the messenger. One of these is the use of full names and phone numbers across the platform, rather than usernames — but Signal might be close to resolving this long-standing issue.
Signal is now safeguarding against future computers that can surpass encryption
The PQXDH specification is designed as an added layer of protection
Many people have caught onto the benefits of end-to-end encryption for instant messaging. As it grows in popularity, companies are beginning to integrate it into their products to provide the option. For example, Meta's WhatsApp is known for its end-to-end encryption, and the feature is slowly being rolled out for Instagram as well. However, not everyone is sold on end-to-end encryption features developed by tech giants like Apple and Meta. If you prefer to use Signal, the independent encrypted messaging service, you may have a bit more peace of mind. Now, Signal is expanding upon the security it offers its users with the development of a protective measure for the future.
WhatsApp makes it easier to ensure your chats are secure
Finally delivering on a promise it made in April
Privacy is essential to our online activities, and especially so in private conversations. WhatsApp is one of the most popular encrypted messaging apps available on Android, and Meta developers regularly reiterate the app’s focus on privacy. The company uses open-source encryption methods and is rather transparent about the implementations, too. However, all these aspects mean little to WhatsApp users if they cannot see the encryption in action. For this, the developers incorporated a utility allowing you to verify the encryption status of a chat manually. Now, the latest beta update is automating this encryption verification process, so it doesn’t need your intervention.
End-to-end encryption will become the default on Messenger by 2024
Meta has been working on expanding E2EE since 2019
While end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is the default on the best secure messaging platforms, this hasn’t always been the case with some Meta products. Facebook Messenger, for example, only began to offer E2EE as an option for group chats and calls last year. Despite this lag, however, the company remains committed to expanding upon E2EE availability. Now, it’s aiming to make E2EE the default for one-on-one Messenger chats by the end of 2023.
In today's digital world, communication privacy is increasingly at risk. Unfortunately, messaging apps that use unencrypted data and cloud-based storage can expose your messages to hacking, surveillance, and other malicious activities. Using an app that encrypts your messages is one of the best ways to keep your conversations private and safe.
Google Messages starts rolling out end-to-end encrypted group chats
Some lucky users already have it, ahead of wider testing in the weeks to come
It's no secret that SMS is an aging standard — in fact, much of the last fifteen years of smartphones have centered on trying to replace it. While much of the world has moved beyond basic text messages, relying on third-party apps like WhatsApp or Signal, those of us in the US aren't so lucky. Google has spent the last few years pushing RCS as the worthy replacement — all while trying to persuade a certain company to adopt it. In honor of SMS's 30th anniversary, Android users are starting get a long-awaited security feature.
End-to-end encryption is coming to Google Messages group chats
Expanding a feature that was previously only available for 1-on-1 conversations
Google is a company built on knowing about its users so it can serve targeted ads, but it strives to keep personal communication separate from its advertising arm. Last year, Google added end-to-end encryption to 1-on-1 RCS chats in the Messages app. Just because you're talking to more than one person doesn't mean everyone should be able to listen in, and as announced during the Google I/O keynote, that feature is now coming to group chats.
Facebook Messenger groups now have end-to-end encryption for calls and chats
One small step for E2EE, but one giant wait until Meta makes it the norm
Meta isn't hurrying to encrypt the communications of Facebook and Instagram users from end to end by default. But it will continue to make baby steps on providing E2EE to them, including to groups on Facebook Messenger starting today.
Google Fi's adding support for end-to-end encrypted calls
No one was (probably) snooping on your calls, but now you can actually be sure of that
If you want your private communication to stay private, end-to-end encryption is what you're looking for — the "end-to-end" bit means that even the company hosting the service can't read your messages while they're in transit. Popular messaging services like WhatsApp feature end-to-end encryption on messages, video calls, voice calls, and more recently, even backups. And more apps keep adding support for it, even including Google Messages not too long ago. If you're a Google Fi user, you'll be glad to know that Google wants to bring end-to-end encryption to your phone calls, too.
Everyone can now protect their WhatsApp chat history with end-to-end encrypted backups
The most glaring omission in WhatsApp's encryption is now addressed
WhatsApp has had end-to-end encryption for a good number of years — at least for messaging. Support was first rolled out to everyone in 2016, allowing users to have peace of mind that WhatsApp couldn't intercept and read their messages since they were encrypted on the sender's end and not decrypted until reaching the receiver. But so far there's been a glaring omission: while chats were fully encrypted as they were taking place, backups were stored without any extra security. WhatsApp is now finally addressing this.
WhatsApp encrypted backups are finally available in the latest beta
Keep your data private before uploading to the cloud
WhatsApp has been working on encrypted backups for some time now, with early mumblings first appearing way back in March. Last month, Facebook detailed its plans to add two unique options offering extra protection for your account. The latest WhatsApp has great news for any privacy-minded person, as the app is finally implementing end-to-end encryption for backups.
Facebook's slow roll on encryption has made it to video and voice calls on Messenger
But not by default
Facebook has been slow to implement end-to-end encryption for its messaging apps, but the baby steps continue to happen nevertheless. Today, it announced the introduction of opt-in E2EE for voice and video calls in Messenger.
Ring brings its users a welcome dose of privacy as end-to-end video encryption goes global
Plus authenticator support and no-hassle product transfers
Amazon-owned subsidiary Ring is putting more security into its security, so to speak. The company is expanding availability of video end-to-end encryption worldwide, launching support for authenticator apps as a second step to verify logins, and making ownership transfer of Ring products easier.
Google Messages end-to-end encryption for RCS Chat is rolling out to everyone
For one-on-one conversations, not group chats
As part of today's big announcements from Google, the company snuck in a bit of a surprise: Separate from the embargo details we were provided, Google is also announcing that end-to-end encryption for Chat/RCS messages in Google Messages is now out of beta — at least, for one-on-one conversations.
WhatsApp's spat with Indian govt has reached the 'no U are' stage
Accusations of human rights violations are being tossed around like so much volleyball
It was only recently that India filed a petition against WhatsApp to block its new privacy policy. While that matter hasn't completely settled yet, the Facebook-owned company is now suing the government over new regulations that it claims "severely undermine the privacy" of users and compromise end-to-end encryption.
Don't expect Facebook Messenger or Instagram Direct to add end-to-end encryption anytime soon
The company refers to it as a "long-term project"
End-to-end encrypted conversations aren't just for whistleblowers and government officials. These days, more users than ever before are aware of how vital it is to keep conversations away from prying eyes. Apps like Signal and Telegram gained huge new followings earlier this year after WhatsApp botched a privacy policy update, calling attention to the importance of implementing extra security for communication tools. Today, Facebook recommitted to bringing end-to-end encryption to both Messenger and Instagram Direct, but it could take longer than some users are willing to wait.
Google Duo and Messages might stop working on uncertified phones soon
People with unsupported phones will have to look for alternatives
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Duo and Google Messages are among the best communication apps Google has ever released, so it's no surprise that they're incredibly popular even among people whose phones ship without Google apps. Unfortunately, it looks like those uncertified phones might soon not be able to run Duo and Messages anymore. XDA Developers and 9to5Google have uncovered strings that reveal that the apps will soon stop working on unsupported devices.