Popular messaging app WhatsApp has taken steps to implement end-to-end encryption, which secures all messages sent and received on the service and keeps them safe from interception and snooping by third parties.

“WhatsApp has always prioritised making your data and communication as secure as possible. And today, we’re proud to announce that we’ve completed a technological development that makes WhatsApp a leader in protecting your private communication: full end-to-end encryption,” the company announced in a blog post.

It explained that users should now rest easy when making use of the messaging platform, as every message, photo, video, file, and voice message you send, is encrypted on both ends of the conversation by default. And yes, that even includes group chats.

In layman’s terms, it means that nobody will be able to see the content of the message except the person it is intended for – and can’t be intercepted by hackers.

“No one can see inside that message. Not cybercriminals. Not hackers. Not oppressive regimes. Not even us. End-to-end encryption helps make communication via WhatsApp private – sort of like a face-to-face conversation.”

The company believes that it has a responsibility to secure communications between parties.

“We live in a world where more of our data is digitised than ever before. Every day we see stories about sensitive records being improperly accessed or stolen. And if nothing is done, more of people’s digital information and communication will be vulnerable to attack in the years to come. Fortunately, end-to-end encryption protects us from these vulnerabilities.”

If you are on the latest version of WhatsApp – and you will be if your phone is set to automatically update your apps – there is nothing you need to do, as WhatsApp’s encryption technology will be switched on automatically.