Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.
Resistance factions' statement: Agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee of independent technocrats.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two people martyred in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a vehicle in Toul.

The FBI Can Get Your WhatsApp Data in Real Time

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: Agencies
  • 4 Dec 2021 16:16
3 Min Read

An FBI document reveals that the most used messaging apps are also the most permissive, as they are very vulnerable to law-enforcement searches.

  • x
  • FBI has easy access to Whatsapp, while Signal is the most secure app
    FBI has easy access to Whatsapp, while Signal is the most secure app

Rolling Stone has obtained an unreported FBI document showcasing how easy it is for the bureau to procure data from Facebook's Whatsapp and Apple's iMessage, provided they have a warrant or a subpoena.

"The most popular encrypted messaging apps iMessage and WhatsApp are also the most permissive,” says Mallory Knodel, the chief technology officer at the Center for Democracy and Technology.

Despite Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Apple's Tim Cook both focusing on privacy in their marketing, the two most popular messaging apps in the world are the most permissive with their data. This can be fine if you're a normal user who does not care much about privacy, but for journalists, activists, and whistleblowers, secure messaging tools can mean the difference between life and death.

In the view of the FBI, WhatsApp is a wellspring of private user data. According to the “Lawful Access” document, WhatsApp will provide more information, verging on real-time, about a user and their activities than nearly every other major secure messaging tool. A subpoena will yield only basic subscriber information, the FBI document says. Presented with a search warrant, WhatsApp will turn over address-book contacts for a targeted user as well as other WhatsApp users who have the targeted individual in their contacts, according to the FBI.

Related News

Trump plans 'Golden Fleet' to modernize US Navy: WSJ

After long delay, Hakeem Jeffries endorses Mamdani for NYC mayor

WhatsApp comments

A WhatsApp spokesperson confirmed the company’s near-real-time responses to a pen register (a surveillance request that captures the source and destination of each message for a targeted individual). But the spokesperson added that the FBI document does not mention that pen registers for WhatsApp do not yield actual message content and do not apply in a retroactive manner. She also said that the company uses end-to-end encryption for the content of users’ messages, which means law enforcement can’t directly access that content.

However, the data provided by WhatsApp to law enforcement capture the recipient, the time of the chat, and the users both parties have in common. This can be dangerous for journalists and activists who need confidentiality.

It seems Signal is the best of these apps in terms of privacy, as even famed whistleblower Edward Snowden uses it.

That's @signalapp, for those who don't speak Elon. https://t.co/NA1PV9FN1o

— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 7, 2021

Here's a reason: I use it every day and I'm not dead yet. https://t.co/Trhgqbwdpj

— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) January 7, 2021

  • United States
  • FBI
  • Whatsapp
  • iMessage
  • Apple
  • Facebook

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Flags of Iran, Russia, and China (IRNA)
Politics

Russia, China, Iran send joint letter to IAEA on Resolution 2231 end

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries
Politics

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries

Tents are seen at UN school used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Politics

UN warns of 'lost generation' amid Gaza education crisis

x
Politics

White House pushes to repeal US sanctions on Syria: Report

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS