Smartphones & Tablets | November 21, 2023
WhatsApp is more than just the most used instant messaging app; over the years, it has evolved, incorporating features from social networks like WhatsApp Channels. Many people also use WhatsApp for calls instead of using the traditional phone; however, in these cases, they may be compromising their privacy.
When we initiate a call, a direct connection system between devices is typically used. There is another option, which is to use Meta’s servers as intermediaries, but usually, a direct connection between devices is preferable because it is faster, allows for greater data transfer, and therefore, the call quality is higher.
However, a direct connection also opens the door to a type of attack that could allow someone to obtain our IP address. It is necessary to transmit this data to establish the connection between the two devices.
The IP address itself is not private data, but it can be used to obtain sensitive information such as the user’s approximate location or the Internet service provider they are using. That’s why users who prioritize privacy often use methods to hide their IP address, such as using a VPN.
WhatsApp’s latest feature solves this problem. It’s a new option that will force WhatsApp to route the call through the company’s servers, which will then connect to the other user’s mobile; a direct connection will never be used, regardless of the call quality. This way, the other person will never be able to know our IP address, as they will only see the server’s address that called them. And since the calls are end-to-end encrypted, WhatsApp cannot listen to what we say or record its content.
The new option is not enabled by default, and therefore, if we do nothing, calls will always be made directly. But if we prefer to enhance our privacy, we can activate the new function. To do this, we should follow these steps:
It’s important to note that this privacy improvement may bring about a deterioration in call quality since the connection to the server can introduce delays and reduce sound quality.
