SAN FRANCISCO: WhatsApp has unveiled a new privacy feature that will soon allow users to back up their chats using their face, fingerprint, or screen lock code, strengthening account security and simplifying the login process for over 3 billion active users worldwide.
According to the Meta-owned messaging giant, the feature—set to launch in the coming months—extends the same level of protection used for personal messages to chat backups. “With a simple tap or glance, your conversations will stay safe and private,” WhatsApp said in a statement.
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The update uses passkeys, a passwordless authentication method that relies on a user’s biometrics or screen lock instead of traditional passwords. The company highlighted that passkeys are faster and more secure, reducing the risk of phishing and password theft.
Currently, WhatsApp users can already back up chats to Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone). The upcoming biometric feature enhances this process by ensuring end-to-end encryption extends to stored backups. Encryption converts chat data into a secure format, making it accessible only to the account owner.
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Until the rollout, users can still protect their chat backups using a password or a 64-digit encryption key via the “End-to-end encrypted backup” option in WhatsApp settings.