WhatsApp’s looking to make it easier to add and sync contacts in the app, by switching to in-app storage for such info, ensuring that you can restore your WhatsApp contacts even if you switch devices, while it’s also implementing a new encryption solution to simplify contact sharing.
First off, WhatsApp’s adding the capacity to save your contacts to the app itself, and manage them via desktop version of the app, in addition to the mobile interface.
As explained by WhatsApp:
“Until now, the only place you were able to add contacts was from your mobile device, by either typing in a phone number or scanning a QR code. Soon, you’ll be able to add and manage contacts from the comfort of your keyboard on WhatsApp Web and Windows – and eventually other linked devices.”
That’ll give you more ways to manage your WhatsApp connections, and utilize the app for managing and maintaining contacts.
Essentially, this means that if you lose your phone or change your phone number, you’ll still be able to restore your WhatsApp contacts from cloud storage.
In addition, having the capacity to manage contacts on desktop will also make this a more valuable element for business users, enabling them to utilize their contacts in their broader operations.
Though storing your information remotely also comes with privacy trade-offs, and for this element, WhatsApp’s also developed a more advanced encryption system to store and share relevant data.
The process, called “Identity Proof Linked Storage” (IPLS), will enable WhatsApp users to save their contacts and automatically restore them directly through WhatsApp.
“With IPLS in place, you can now create contacts directly within WhatsApp and choose to sync them to your phone or securely save them only to WhatsApp – giving you the ability to create contacts that are specific to your account. If you use linked devices, this also allows you to add and manage contacts seamlessly regardless of which device you’re on.”
Finally, WhatsApp’s also adding the option to save a contact exclusively to WhatsApp.
“These WhatsApp contacts are ideal for when you are sharing your phone with others or if you want to separate personal and business contacts when managing more than one WhatsApp account on your phone. Contacts you save to WhatsApp will be restored in case you ever lose your phone or change devices.”
The expanded view, then, is that users will eventually be able to manage and save contacts by usernames only, enabling additional privacy, in that you won’t need to share your phone number when messaging someone.
So more ways to manage your WhatsApp connections, and maintain privacy and security across devices.
These are important security developments for WhatsApp, in terms of both limiting data access and exposure. And while the specifics here won’t be relevant to all users, having the capacity to store your contacts in isolation from your device could be a valuable add on in many applications.
