Whatsapp is testing the function of sending messages without a phone.
Whatsapp is currently tied to the user’s phone. Its desktop and web applications need, for this device to be connected and receive messages.
The new feature will allow users to send and receive messages, “even if your phone’s battery is dead”. According to WhatsApp developers, up to four other devices, such as PCs and tablets, can be used together. Whatsapp is currently testing the feature as a beta test for a “small group of users”. Thus, it is planned to improve performance and add new features to the application., before turning it on for everyone. WhatsApp will still support end-to-end encryption.
Several other messaging apps already have the new feature, including competing encrypted Signal app, which requires a phone number to register, but not for messaging.
As stated in the sources, WhatsApp users have been asking for this feature for a long time.. However, not everything is so smooth, as it may seem at first glance. Some IT security professionals are concerned about this decision.
Jake Moore, Eset antivirus security specialist, said, that no matter what, how reliable is the security, having messages on more devices can still be a problem.
There will always be an attacker, who will try to find a workaround.
Household scammers and stalkers can now use this new feature to their advantage, by creating additional endpoints to intercept any synchronized private messages.
Therefore it is very important, to let people know about all devices, connected to their accounts