Facebook wants to make WhatsApp safer, according an interview with its IT security chief Scott Renfro, in Germany’s Der Spiegel.
Since being bought by Facebook, WhatsApp has been very clear it will remain a separate service, but Renfro states that in terms of security, the companies will work very closely to ensure they build secure applications.
Facebook’s comments about WhatsApp security follow two security scares last week. Spanish programmers found a way to fake WhatsApp messages, while a Dutch consultant showed the world how a malicious app could steal your saved messages on Android.
WhatsApp said these threats were overstated, but Facebook’s comments make it clear that they do take them seriously. It is suggesting running a ‘white hat bounty program’, where hackers would be offered rewards for finding security holes in the messaging app. It’s important that users feel WhatsApp is safe, or they may drift off to one of the many competitors.
The NSA scandal is also a top priority for Facebook, according to Renfro. He explained how it was a challenge to balance the need for encryption with usability, as the best encryption is not suitable for most people, and Facebook has to be usable by everyone.
Source: Der Spiegel
