Where are deleted messages stored in WhatsApp - briefly?
Deleted messages in WhatsApp are not stored on the user's device or cloud storage after they are successfully removed. Once a message is deleted by both sender and receiver, it is permanently removed from all devices and cannot be recovered.
Where are deleted messages stored in WhatsApp - in detail?
Deleted messages in WhatsApp are not simply erased from the device or server but rather undergo a complex process of handling and storage. When a user deletes a message, whether it's from their own device or from a conversation, several steps occur to manage this data.
Firstly, it is essential to understand that WhatsApp employs end-to-end encryption for all communications. This means that messages are encrypted on the sender’s device and can only be decrypted by the recipient's device. When a message is deleted, the encryption keys related to that message are removed from the system, making it impossible to reconstruct the original content even if the data remains stored somewhere else.
For messages deleted from an individual’s device, the local copies of these messages are permanently erased and cannot be recovered through standard means. This action is irreversible, ensuring that the user cannot access the deleted message again unless it was backed up before deletion.
When a message is deleted from both sender and recipient devices within the allowed timeframe (usually 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 46 seconds for Android users or 7 minutes for iOS users), WhatsApp attempts to remove any traces of the message from its servers as well. However, it’s crucial to note that complete removal might not be immediate due to the complexity of the server architecture and the need to synchronize deletions across multiple devices.
In cases where a message is not deleted within the specified timeframe or if only one party deletes the message, the content remains stored on WhatsApp’s servers but is marked as “deleted.” This status indicates that while the message cannot be accessed directly by users, it still exists within the system, potentially subject to legal requests or internal audits.
WhatsApp also maintains backup systems for user data, including messages and media. These backups are stored on cloud services such as Google Drive for Android users and iCloud for iOS users. When a message is deleted from the WhatsApp application, it is not automatically removed from these backups unless the user manually deletes the backup or restores it to a state before the message was sent.
In summary, while deleted messages in WhatsApp are intended to be permanently removed from both user devices and servers, the process involves complexities that can leave traces of the data within the system. The use of encryption ensures that even if data remnants exist, they cannot be reconstructed without the necessary decryption keys.