Openai/6864c4fe-1870-8010-be68-a20a69f9eea8

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gpt-4o

User: In WhatsApp app on my mobile, WhatsApp app generates my private key.

In WhatsApp app on my mobile, WhatsApp app generates my private key. And if whatsapp app WANTS, then this app can send my private key to whatsapp company server. Right ?

Assistant: Yes, technically, that is correct — if the WhatsApp app wanted or was maliciously modified, it could send your private …

Yes, technically, that is correct — if the WhatsApp app wanted (or was maliciously modified), it could send your private key to the WhatsApp servers or anywhere else.

Let’s break it down clearly:

🔐 What Actually Happens (as per WhatsApp design):

• Your private key is generated locally on your device.
• The private key never leaves your device.
• Only the public key is sent to WhatsApp’s servers, to be shared with others so they can encrypt messages for you.
• WhatsApp uses the Signal Protocol, which is open source and built to ensure end-to-end encryption — so even WhatsApp itself cannot decrypt your messages.

🤔 But What If WhatsApp App Was Malicious?

• The app is closed source, so unless you're analyzing the actual code, you must trust WhatsApp.
• If the WhatsApp app (or an update) had hidden code that exfiltrates your private key: - It could send that key to WhatsApp’s server. - Once WhatsApp has your private key, end-to-end encryption is broken — they can decrypt your messages.

📱 Bottom Line

• Yes, it is technically possible if the app behaves maliciously or is compromised.
• You rely on: - Trusting WhatsApp (i.e., Meta), - Audits by cybersecurity experts, - And the protections of your operating system (iOS/Android) to prevent such behavior.

If you want maximum assurance, you'd need:

• An open-source messaging app where you can verify the code (e.g., Signal),
• And/or use OS-level network monitoring tools to catch unexpected behavior — although even that can be evaded by clever obfuscation.

Let me know if you want a breakdown of how Signal differs in transparency.