Re:WhatsApp's Signal Protocol integration is now complete
by pa7ch on Wednesday April 06, 2016 @12:54PM
(#11439988)
Oh thats really interesting. I've never read CONAME before so I'll check it out. It sounds like its definitely worth evaluating more.
I've wonder if things like multi-device support or deriving a private key from a passphrase (mini-lock style) will eventually make user identity far less likely to change. Then it might be safer to complain louder when your in the situation that someone's identity has changed.
In contrast, in CONIKS, a user had to check every single epoch. Which was impractical and meant you relied on third party auditors.
This doesn't deal with the restore from backup issue. I think given the FBI apple phone issue though, maybe it's worth reevaluating the risk vs. reword here. Especially if user visible warnings are opt in.