WhatsApp joke turns into a privacy NIGHTMARE: Users are left questioning the company's end–to–end encryption as it quips 'we see you'
What was intended to be a joke has seriously backfired for WhatsApp.
Taking to X this week, the Meta–owned app tweeted: 'people who end messages with "lol" we see you, we honor you.'
This was likely meant as a light–hearted quip, with 'lol' seen by many as a less abrupt way to end a message than a full–stop.
However, it has left some users questioning the validity of the company's end–to–end encryption system.
And with over 6.9 million views on X and counting, these privacy concerns have quickly spread like wildfire.
'"we see you"? How? What happens to chat encrypted?' one user asked.
Another wrote: 'So no privacy at all.'
And one joked: 'End–to–end decryption.'
Taking to X this week, the Meta–owned app tweeted: 'people who end messages with "lol" we see you, we honor you.' This was likely meant as a light–hearted quip, with 'lol' seen by many as a less abrupt way to end a message than a full–stop. However, it has left some users questioning the validity of the company's end–to–end encryption system
What was intended to be a joke has seriously backfired for WhatsApp
WhatsApp has included end–to–end encryption since 2016.
'Privacy and security is in our DNA, which is why we built end–to–end encryption into our app,' the Meta–owned app explains on its website.
'When end–to–end encrypted, your messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, live location, status updates, and calls are secured from falling into the wrong hands.'
End–to–end encryption ensures only the two participants of a chat can read messages, and no one in between – not even the company that owns the service.
The service is intended to prevent data being read or secretly modified when it is in transit between the two parties.
The cryptographic keys needed to access the service are automatically provided only to the two people in each conversation.
In decrypted form, messages are accessible by a third party – which makes them interceptable by governments for law enforcement reasons.
Because WhatsApp has previously been so vocal about the importance of end–to–end encryption, its latest joke has raised alarm bells among many users.
With over 6.9 million views on X and counting, these privacy concerns have quickly spread like wildfire
Because WhatsApp has previously been so vocal about the importance of end–to–end encryption, its latest joke has raised alarm bells among many users
'So end–to–end encryption is just a lie,' one user wrote on X.
Another said: 'Crazy to see so many people actually believed the end to end encryption actually works.'
Meanwhile, other users went so far as to suggest that that person responsible for the misjudged tweet should be fired.
'This admin is already fired,' one tweeted.
Another added: 'Tomorrow breaking news: WhatsApp fire social media manager.'
In response to the backlash, WhatsApp has confirmed that the phrase 'we see you' was 'meant figuratively, not literally'.
'Your personal messages are private between you and the recipient,' it responded to one concerned user.
'"we see you" in our original post was meant as a way to say we relate to and understand people who love to use lol as a way to end a message.'
The news comes shortly after experts urged Britons to stop sending SMS text messages – amid fears hackers could intercept data.
Dan Lattimer, cyber expert at software firm Semperis, told the Daily Mail: 'SMS lacks encryption, making it more vulnerable to interception, spoofing, and other forms of unauthorised access.
'From a security perspective, transitioning from SMS to encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, or others may be prudent, especially when communicating sensitive or personal information.'
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