What messages are sent to WhatsApp - briefly?
Messages sent to WhatsApp include text, images, videos, voice notes, documents, and location data. Additionally, users can send contacts and make calls through the platform.
What messages are sent to WhatsApp - in detail?
When a user sends a message via WhatsApp, several types of data and metadata are transmitted between the sender's device and WhatsApp's servers. The process involves multiple layers of encryption to ensure the security and privacy of communication. Here is a detailed breakdown of what is sent:
-
Message Content: This includes the actual text, images, videos, documents, or any other media files that the user intends to send. Each message is divided into smaller packets for efficient transmission over the network.
-
Metadata: Alongside the content, metadata is also transmitted. Metadata provides information about the message itself without revealing its content. This includes:
- Timestamps: The exact time when the message was sent.
- Message IDs: Unique identifiers for each message to ensure they can be correctly matched and delivered to the intended recipient.
- Sender and Recipient Information: Identifiers that help route the message to the correct device without revealing personal information like phone numbers.
-
End-to-End Encryption Keys: WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, which means only the sender and recipient can read the messages. To facilitate this, encryption keys are exchanged between devices. These keys ensure that only the intended recipients can decrypt and read the message content.
-
Delivery Receipts: Once a message is sent, WhatsApp servers also transmit delivery receipts to confirm whether a message has been delivered to the recipient's device. This includes information such as the status of the message (e.g., sent, delivered, read).
-
Read Receipts: If the read receipt feature is enabled, additional metadata is transmitted when the recipient opens and reads the message. This allows the sender to see that their message has been viewed.
-
Media Information: For multimedia messages like photos or videos, additional information is sent to describe the file's properties (e.g., resolution for images, length for videos).
-
Status Updates: If a user sends a status update, similar data packets are transmitted. However, these updates have a different format and lifespan compared to regular messages, as they expire after 24 hours.
-
Backup Data: Optionally, users can choose to back up their WhatsApp data to cloud services like Google Drive or iCloud. In this case, encrypted copies of the message content and metadata are transmitted to these backup servers.
By understanding what is sent to WhatsApp, users gain insight into how their messages are handled, ensuring their communications remain secure and private.