WhatsApp | We Can’t Show You

Showing the importance of end-to-end encryption by showing absolutely nothing.

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:30 spot

WhatsApp was being attacked by governments around the world for securing communications with end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp needed to make a case for the importance of protecting users’ privacy to avoid disruptive legislation.

And at the onset of COVID-19, the whole world was suddenly forced to communicate almost exclusively online. Unencrypted platforms like Zoom were in the news constantly for exposing users’ information while simultaneously running ad campaigns touting heartwarming moments of virtual togetherness. So on the 4th anniversary of WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, we released a video that did the exact opposite. There were no virtual birthday parties, happy hours, or family get-togethers—just a black box as evidence of WhatsApp’s impenetrability.

  • Four years ago this month WhatsApp rolled out end-to-end encryption, which means we can't see or hear people’s private conversations. With so much of the world at a distance, it’s more important than ever this technology protects our privacy and safety. Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp at Facebook
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