Re: Am I being thick ?
Apps on phones such as whatsapp run in their own memory space so it is not a simple task to add another encryption layer on top without rooting phones and such which cuts out most users. A keyboard app could potentially convert what you type ad copy to clipboard and convert replies but it would be far from pretty and straight forward which is what app users want.
The NSA/GCHQ's are being crafty now and instead of asking for backdoors in encryption, they are asking technology companies to implement sly changes which means no backdoor is needed. Skype conversations used to be peer to peer and never touched servers so one assumes they got Microsoft to buy and change the product so all conversations went through their servers for the 5+ eyes benefit.
One assumes Whatsapp went out of their way to help the government agencies by adding a chat backup option, an in your face popup to all users asking if it should be enabled and when they do, it disabled the encryption of their chats. The backup of their chats are also stored on their servers indefinitely for the 5+ eyes too.
So expect more sly changes like these as technology companies shout publicly that they are fighting for your privacy while still looking you eye add these privacy defeating changes they hope you don't notice.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
