Are deleted WhatsApp messages stored somewhere - briefly?
Yes, deleted WhatsApp messages are stored on servers for a short period of time after deletion. However, they are not accessible to users or third parties due to end-to-end encryption.
Are deleted WhatsApp messages stored somewhere - in detail?
The deletion of messages on WhatsApp is a process that has garnered significant attention, particularly regarding the permanence of their removal. When users delete messages from their devices, they are effectively removing them from their local storage. However, the question remains: Are these deleted messages stored somewhere else?
WhatsApp operates on a cloud-based system where messages and media are backed up to the user's chosen cloud service. For Android users, this is typically Google Drive, while iPhone users rely on iCloud. When a message is deleted from the local device, it is not immediately erased from these backups. Instead, the deletion is noted as a pending action that will be carried out during the next backup cycle. This means that until the next scheduled or manual backup, the deleted messages remain in the cloud storage.
Furthermore, WhatsApp implements end-to-end encryption for all communication, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can access the content of their messages. Even though the messages are encrypted, they still reside in the backup until manually deleted or overwritten by new data during the next backup session.
It is also important to note that while WhatsApp does not have direct access to the content of these messages due to encryption, the metadata associated with them—such as timestamps and sender information—may still be stored in their servers. This metadata can provide valuable insights for technical support and debugging purposes but does not include the actual message content.
In summary, deleted WhatsApp messages are temporarily stored in cloud backups until the next backup cycle overwrites them. However, the actual content of these messages remains protected by end-to-end encryption, accessible only to the parties involved in the conversation. For users seeking to ensure complete removal of their deleted messages, manually triggering a backup or managing their backup settings can provide added control over their data.