If WhatsApp messages are end to end encrypted, how can WhatsApp show me the code used to encrypt those messages?
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ELI5 explanation
You think of a very large number. There is a math function that given this number will give you two numbers that are connected in a special way. The special way is that messages encrypted with one number could be decrypted only with the other. There are many such functions. So you can keep one number as private and the other as public..does not matter which is which. You keep the private and you send me the public. When I send you a message I encrypt it with your public key. This message could only be decrypted with your private key. As you are the only one that knows it, only you can decrypte it.
This Ia what the phone does – thinks of a number, creates the private and public key, shares the public key with the contact and the other phone uses this public number to encrypt messages for you.
Would you like to know how the functions work? It is 6 grade math but it is not for 5 years old.
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