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

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This conversation was exported from ChatGPT[1]

gpt-4o[edit | edit source]

User: In WhatsApp app on my mobile, WhatsApp app generates my private key.[edit | edit source]

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 …[edit | edit source]

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):[edit | edit source]
  • 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?[edit | edit source]
  • 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[edit | edit source]
  • 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.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "WhatsApp Private Key Risk". ChatGPT. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
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