Is LINE Safe? A Complete Guide to Security Features, Privacy Risks, and How to Protect Your Messages

LINE is one of the world’s most widely used messaging apps, particularly in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia. What began as a communication tool after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake has grown into a massive ecosystem offering:

Messaging
Group chats
Voice and video calling
Cloud backup
Stickers and themes
LINE Pay
Business and shopping tools
Social networking features
Games
News feeds and communities

Because LINE integrates so many features, it collects more data than a typical messaging app. This makes understanding its privacy protections essential.

The company behind LINE, LY Corporation (formerly LINE Corporation), states in its privacy policy, that it collects and stores user information to improve the platform and support its services. But users must determine whether those practices align with their personal privacy comfort levels.

Is LINE Safe? Key Takeaways at a Glance

Before diving deeper, here’s a quick overview.

Feature	Safe?	Details
End-to-end encryption	Yes	Provided through “Letter Sealing,” but not always enabled by default for all chat types
Data storage	Partially secure	Messages stored locally; some metadata stored on LINE servers
Cloud backups	Mixed	Backups may not be encrypted depending on device
Cross-border data access	Limited transparency	Past incidents raised concerns
Third-party integrations	Moderate risk	Apps connected to LINE may request excessive permissions
Account security	Strong	2FA, login alerts, device management
Privacy controls	Good	Adjust messaging, visibility, tracking, and sync settings

Overall: LINE is relatively safe but requires proper setting adjustments, cautious use, and understanding of its data collection practices.

How LINE Protects User Data

LINE’s safety depends on several built-in security technologies. Here is a breakdown.

Letter Sealing: LINE’s Main Encryption Technology

LINE introduced Letter Sealing, its version of end-to-end encryption (E2EE), to prevent third parties—including LINE engineers—from reading messages.

How it works:

It encrypts messages, voice calls, video calls, and location sharing.
Only the devices involved in the conversation can decrypt the content.
Keys are stored locally, not on LINE servers.

However:

Letter Sealing is not always enabled automatically for older accounts.
Group chats had delayed Letter Sealing support.
Some features—like unsent messages, SCRAPING, or certain stickers—may not be fully E2EE-protected.

To verify, go to:

LINE App → Settings → Privacy → Letter Sealing → Toggle On

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

LINE requires phone number verification but also supports login verification via SMS or an authenticated device. When someone tries to log in from a new device, you receive:

An alert
A login approval screen
A confirmation code

This prevents unauthorized access, especially helpful during SIM-swap attacks.

Password and Account Lock Features

Users can set an optional password that restricts access to:

Chats
Payments
Purchases
Settings

There is also an Account Lock that limits logins to only your primary device.

Secure VoIP and Calling Protocols

LINE calls use encrypted communication channels. This helps prevent:

Eavesdropping
Packet-sniffing
Man-in-the-middle attacks

Device Management Tools

Users can review logged-in devices to identify intrusions:

LINE → Settings → Account → Devices

You can remotely log out suspicious sessions.

Privacy Risks and Concerns with LINE

Although LINE offers strong protections, users still face several privacy risks.

1. Metadata Retention and Server Logs

While messages are encrypted, LINE still collects metadata, such as:

Who you contacted
How often you message
Group affiliation
Device information
Usage patterns

Metadata can reveal sensitive details about your relationships and habits, even without message content.

2. Cloud Backup Limitations

LINE backups on:

Android (Google Drive)
iPhone (iCloud)

may not be end-to-end encrypted. That means government agencies, Apple, Google, or hackers with access might read stored messages.

3. Third-Party Integrations and Public Profiles

Because LINE contains games, news, shopping, and mini-apps, each integration may request additional data. Some risks include:

Overbroad permissions
Data sharing with advertisers
Behavioral tracking
Unknown privacy practices from third parties

4. Past Security Controversies

In 2021, Japanese media reported that LINE developers in China had potential access to certain user data. While the company resolved the issue, it raised concerns around:

Cross-border data access
Transparency
Compliance with privacy regulations

More info:
Japan Times Coverage on LINE Data Access

LINE encourages users to sync their contacts. While this makes it easier to find friends, it also means:

Your phone contacts are uploaded
LINE can infer social networks
People may find you through synced data

If you prefer privacy, avoid syncing contacts.

6. Public Posts and Groups

Public LINE communities can expose:

Personal opinions
Location (if using local features)
Identity information
Photos or videos

Always review visibility settings.

How to Make LINE Safer: Step-by-Step Protection Guide

These practical steps enhance your security and privacy on LINE.

Step 1: Turn On Letter Sealing

Settings → Privacy → Letter Sealing → Enable

This ensures end-to-end encryption.

Step 2: Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Settings → Account → Password → Set Password
Settings → Account → Login Verification → Enable

This protects against unauthorized logins.

Step 3: Disable Contact Sync (Optional)

Settings → Friends → Auto-Add Friends → Off
Settings → Friends → Allow Others to Add → Off

This hides your profile from strangers.

Step 4: Lock the App

Settings → Privacy → Passcode Lock → Enable

Ensures that no one using your phone can read your messages.

Step 5: Limit Data Collection and Personalization

Settings → Privacy → Ads → Limit Ad Tracking

Turn off personalized ads and behavioral tracking.

Check active sessions:

Settings → Account → Devices → Logout Unrecognized Devices

Step 7: Avoid High-Risk Integrations

Do not connect LINE to:

Third-party games
Unknown apps
Suspicious promotions

These often request unnecessary data.

Step 8: Backup Data Carefully

If you must back up chats:

Use encrypted storage
Turn off cloud backup after exporting
Avoid using unsecured Wi-Fi

Advanced LINE Security Tips

Use a VPN with LINE

A VPN can:

Mask your IP address
Encrypt internet traffic
Prevent ISP tracking
Reduce risks on public Wi-Fi

Disable Auto-Photo Saving

Photos automatically saved to your gallery may be visible through other apps.

Settings → Photos → Auto-Save → Off

Avoid Clickbait Stickers and Add-Ons

Stickers from unknown publishers can contain:

Trackers
Malware mimicking sticker packs

Install only from verified stores.

Create a Separate LINE Account for Sensitive Work

If you use LINE for:

Business conversations
Activism
Sensitive personal matters

Consider a second phone number to separate identities.

Is LINE Safe for Children or Teens?

With its stickers, games, and social features, LINE is popular among minors. Parents should consider the following risks:

Predatory messaging
Private group invitations
Exposed location data
Over-sharing in posts
Contact syncing revealing friendships
In-app purchases

Families should use:

Device restrictions
Notification monitoring
Education about online boundaries

For further reading:
FTC Guidelines on Protecting Kids Online

How LINE Compares to Other Messaging Apps

App	E2EE by Default?	Data Collection Level	Known for Privacy?
LINE	Partial	Moderate	Moderate
WhatsApp	Yes	High	Medium
Signal	Yes	Minimal	Very strong
Telegram	Optional	Moderate	Mixed
Messenger	Partial	Very high	Low

LINE is safer than Messenger but less privacy-focused than Signal.

Why Your Personal Information May Still Be Exposed Online

Using LINE safely protects your messages, but it does not remove your:

Phone number
Email address
Home address
Public records
Data broker files
Social media exposure

Telemarketers, scammers, or malicious actors could still obtain your information from people-search sites.

This is where Remove Online Information becomes essential.

How Remove Online Information Helps Protect Your Privacy

Even if you secure your messaging apps, your personal information may still appear on:

Data broker websites
Phone lookup sites
Background report pages
Social search engines
Public records portals
Old forum posts
Cached search results

Remove Online Information helps you:
✔ Remove personal data from 100+ data broker platforms
✔ Suppress outdated or unwanted search results
✔ Reduce risk of identity theft
✔ Prevent stalkers or harassers from finding your information
✔ Maintain a clean online presence

→ Visit Remove Online Information to get help safeguarding your privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is LINE safer than WhatsApp?

LINE offers strong encryption, but WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption by default for all messages.

Is LINE safe to use for confidential conversations?

Yes—if Letter Sealing is enabled and cloud backups are restricted.

Does LINE share my data with advertisers?

It may share anonymized usage patterns unless you disable ad personalization.

Are group chats encrypted?

Yes, but Letter Sealing must be active for all members and versions.

How do I remove my personal data from the internet?

Use a removal service like Remove Online Information to delete your exposed data from online databases.

Does LINE store my messages?

Messages are stored on your device, but backups may exist on cloud services.

Works Cited (MLA Format)

LINE Corporation. Privacy Policy. LINE, 2024, https://linecorp.com/en/company/privacy.

Japan Times. “LINE Admits Developers in China Had Access to Japan Users’ Data.” The Japan Times, 17 Mar. 2021, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/03/17/business/tech/line-privacy/.

Federal Trade Commission. Protecting Kids Online. FTC.gov, 2024, https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/protecting-kids-online.

Mozilla Foundation. “End-to-End Encryption Explained.” Mozilla.org, 2024.

Electronic Frontier Foundation. Surveillance Self-Defense Guide. EFF.org, 2024.