Quick Answer
No, WhatsApp video calls are end-to-end encrypted and not stored on WhatsApp’s servers. The video and audio from WhatsApp calls are transmitted directly between the devices participating in the call.
WhatsApp’s Encryption
WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption for all messages, calls, photos, videos, documents, and voice messages. This means only the sender and recipient can access the content – not even WhatsApp itself.
Here’s how it works:
- Each user has a unique security key that is used to encrypt and decrypt messages.
- When you send a message, it is encrypted on your device using your security key before being transmitted.
- The message is decrypted on the recipient’s device using their security key.
- This prevents third parties, including WhatsApp, from being able to access the content.
Video and voice calls use the same end-to-end encryption principles. The calls are encrypted between the two devices participating directly in the call.
No Storage of Call Content
Because video calls are encrypted end-to-end, the video, audio and any images or files shared during the call are not stored on WhatsApp’s servers.
According to WhatsApp:
WhatsApp video calls are end-to-end encrypted, meaning no third party including WhatsApp can see or listen to them.
Some limited metadata is retained by WhatsApp after the call ends, including the date and time of the call, the participating phone numbers, and call duration. However this does not include any media or content from the call itself.
Comparison of WhatsApp vs Other Apps
Here is a comparison of how WhatsApp handles call data compared to other apps:
| App | End-to-End Encryption | Stores Call Content |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |
| FaceTime | Yes | No |
| Skype | No | Yes |
| Zoom | No | Yes |
As shown in the table, WhatsApp along with FaceTime do not store the contents of video calls given their end-to-end encryption. Skype and Zoom on the other hand can store call data on their servers since they do not use end-to-end encryption.
Limits on WhatsApp Call Data Retention
While WhatsApp does not store the contents of your calls, there are some limits on how long they retain metadata:
- Registration information: Retained until your account is deleted
- Last seen status: Retained for 30 days after logout
- Online status: Retained while app is open and up to 1 hour after
- IP address: Retained up to 60 days after login
- Contacts: Retained until you delete your account and up to 90 days afterward
- Call logs: Retained for up to 30 days
So while they may retain non-content data for a short period, the video, audio, and images from your actual calls are deleted immediately and not stored.
How WhatsApp Handles Bans
If a user is banned from WhatsApp, there are limitations placed on that account:
- You can no longer send or receive messages, place or receive calls.
- Your account registration information is retained by WhatsApp.
- You can still request your account data from WhatsApp.
- If the ban is later reversed, your encryption keys are restored allowing access again.
However, any call history and messages sent prior to the ban are irretrievable due to the end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp cannot access them even if your account is banned.
How Long Do Deleted WhatsApp Messages Stay on Server?
When you delete a message, call log, or contact in WhatsApp, it is deleted from WhatsApp’s servers right away. However, that content may still be retained on the other user’s device if it was delivered prior to being deleted.
Deleted WhatsApp data is not stored by WhatsApp itself at all due to its end-to-end encryption implementation. The encryption keys make previously delivered content inaccessible even to WhatsApp.
Can Police Recover Deleted WhatsApp Calls & Messages?
Due to end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp has no ability to access deleted calls or messages. The content is encrypted using keys only available on the user’s devices. So there is no way for anyone, including police, to recover deleted WhatsApp content from WhatsApp’s servers.
However, police may be able to recover deleted content from the physical devices involved in the communication if they are confiscated as part of an investigation. Using phone data extraction tools, they may be able to retrieve deleted messages, calls, photos etc that were not permanently wiped from the device storage.
Conclusion
In summary:
- WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption for calls, protecting privacy.
- Video, audio and images from WhatsApp calls are not stored on WhatsApp’s servers.
- Some non-content metadata may be retained for up to 30 days after a call.
- Deleted call logs and messages cannot be recovered from WhatsApp’s servers.
- Police may be able to recover deleted WhatsApp content from user devices that were involved.
So while WhatsApp takes measures to protect user privacy, traditional phone data extraction techniques may still be used to recover deleted evidence from the physical devices involved in communication.