Facebook, Google and Snapchat looking to beef up encryption

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com): Major tech companies are looking to beef up the security of their products in response to the spat between Apple and the Department of Justice: Google, Facebook and Snapcht are all planning to add additional layers of encryption to some of their communication tools, according to a report by the Guardian.

Facebook plans to add encrypted voice calls to its Whatsapp messaging service, which is already encrypting text messages, according to the report. The company is also looking to beef up security for its Facebook Messenger app. Snapchat is reportedly also working on encrypted messaging, and Google is looking to expand the use of encryption as well.

None of the companies wanted to go on the record about their plans, but most of them have been vocal proponents of encryption in the past, and most recently jumped to the defence of Apple in its conflict with the Justice Department.

Prosecutors want Apple to help them unlock the iPhone of San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook, and have already won a court order to that effect. However, Apple is appealing that court order, and arguing that it presents a dangerous precedent that could expose iPhone users not only in the US but in other countries as well.