WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It allows users to make voice and video calls, in addition to sending messages, photos, videos and other files.
One common question is whether WhatsApp keeps records of the audio calls made through its platform, and if users can access or listen to those call recordings later on. Here is a detailed look at WhatsApp’s call recording practices.
Does WhatsApp keep recordings of your audio calls?
The short answer is – no, WhatsApp does not keep recordings of your voice calls by default. According to WhatsApp’s privacy policy and FAQs:
- WhatsApp end-to-end encrypts all voice calls, so the calls are not stored on WhatsApp’s servers after the call ends.
- No call metadata, like who called whom and when, is stored by WhatsApp either.
- WhatsApp cannot listen to or record your calls on their end.
So in summary, WhatsApp does not have access to the contents of your audio calls, and does not keep any recording logs or transcripts once a call is over.
This applies to one-on-one WhatsApp calls as well as group voice calls.
Can you record WhatsApp calls?
While WhatsApp itself does not record your calls, there are a few ways you can record your WhatsApp calls yourself:
- Use a third-party call recording app on your phone that can record WhatsApp calls.
- Enable call recording on your smartphone itself (available on some Android phones).
- Use a computer or second phone to record the call via headphone output.
However, recording calls without the consent of the other participants may be illegal depending on your local laws. So check regulations in your region before recording any calls.
Why doesn’t WhatsApp keep call records?
WhatsApp not retaining call logs or recordings after a call ends aligns with its strong stance on privacy and encryption. Here are some of the key reasons why WhatsApp does not store call data:
- User privacy – By not keeping call records, WhatsApp cannot share your private call data with anyone, including government agencies or hackers.
- Encryption – End-to-end encryption relies on calls not being stored externally after they end. Storing call data would weaken WhatsApp’s security model.
- Data minimization – Storing call logs requires large amounts of data storage space on servers. WhatsApp minimizes data retention in line with best privacy practices.
- Regulatory reasons – Many jurisdictions have laws restricting the recording and retention of private communications without consent.
Does WhatsApp notify you if someone records your call?
No, WhatsApp does not have any way to detect or notify you if another participant in a call is recording the conversation externally using a third-party app or other method.
Since the call recording is happening outside of WhatsApp entirely, WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption does not cover it. WhatsApp has no visibility into what apps a user may be running on their device during a call.
Therefore, you will not get any notification from WhatsApp if your calls are being recorded by another person on the call. The only way to know for sure is to ask the other participants on the call if they are recording.
Can WhatsApp access your call history or audio files?
As per WhatsApp’s privacy policy and encryption standards, they cannot access your call history or any call audio files stored on your device. Here are some key points:
- WhatsApp cannot see your call history or access audio files stored on your device.
- They only keep limited metadata such as your phone number and profile name.
- All your messages, media files, and calls are end-to-end encrypted.
- WhatsApp will never ask you for access to your call history or audio files.
- Beware of any unsolicited requests for call data access as they are likely scams.
So in summary, due to WhatsApp’s strong encryption model, your call history, audio files and call contents remain private and inaccessible to WhatsApp.
Can police or government agencies access WhatsApp call records?
Since WhatsApp does not have access to the contents of users’ voice calls or retain any call data themselves, they cannot hand over call recordings or logs to police or government authorities.
However, here are some scenarios in which law enforcement may be able to access WhatsApp call information:
- If a user’s phone is confiscated, police can access call logs and recordings saved locally on that device.
- They can compel a user to hand over their own recordings of WhatsApp calls stored externally.
- A court order can require WhatsApp to reveal limited metadata such as account info and contacts.
- Installing spyware on a target device may allow access to call data before encryption.
But without physical access to a device, or cooperation from a user, it is very difficult for third-parties like law enforcement to intercept or access encrypted WhatsApp call contents and recordings.
Should I be concerned about WhatsApp’s encryption?
WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption for calls, messages and media is best-in-class and built using proven open-source cryptography standards. Here are some key points about WhatsApp call encryption:
- It uses the Signal Protocol designed by Open Whisper Systems.
- Encryption keys are exchanged directly between users to secure calls.
- The keys used change frequently to prevent hacking attempts.
- Not even WhatsApp has access to call encryption keys.
- Security experts worldwide have vetted and approved WhatsApp’s encryption.
So WhatsApp call encryption is very secure and you should not have major concerns around it. Of course, no system is 100% foolproof, but WhatsApp calls offer strong protection against interception by design.
Can WhatsApp tell who you are calling?
While WhatsApp cannot see the contents of your encrypted calls, they do have access to some non-content metadata about your calls:
- Your phone number, name and profile data
- The phone numbers you are calling
- Call durations (but not contents or recordings)
- Approximate call timestamps
However, WhatsApp states they do not use this metadata for anything beyond delivering calls and messages. It is not used for advertising or data mining purposes.
So in summary, WhatsApp can see some superficial metadata about your calls but not the deeply private contents of the call itself due to encryption.
Should I worry about WhatsApp storing my call metadata?
WhatsApp only retains minimal metadata about calls, which does not reveal anything substantive about the calls themselves. Here are some key points about WhatsApp call metadata:
- It includes basic info like your phone number and profile data.
- It does not contain any contents of your calls or media files.
- Metadata alone cannot be used to determine what was said on calls.
- WhatsApp only uses it internally for delivering calls and messages.
- They state the metadata is not used for advertising or data profiling.
- You can minimize metadata collection by not sharing your profile info.
So the metadata WhatsApp collects is fairly basic and not very sensitive. While some may still have concerns about it, WhatsApp’s practices align with user expectations for a secure messaging app.
Conclusion
In summary:
- WhatsApp does not store or record your voice calls due to its end-to-end encryption.
- You can record calls yourself using third-party apps or built-in smartphone features.
- WhatsApp cannot access your call history, recordings or contents.
- Law enforcement can only access call data with physical device access or user consent.
- WhatsApp call encryption is very secure and follows industry best practices.
- While WhatsApp retains some basic metadata, it does not have the call contents.
So while WhatsApp cannot listen to or save your calls, you do have various options to record calls yourself if needed. Overall, WhatsApp’s voice call security matches its strong reputation for privacy and encryption.