What is meant by "end-to-end encryption"?

End-to-end encryption refers to a type of secure data transmission between users where the data is encrypted on the sender's device and only decrypted by the intended recipient's device. This means that, during the transmission, the data remains in a secure, unreadable form, ensuring that only the sender and the recipient can access the original information. Even if the data is intercepted during transit, it would be virtually impossible for third parties to decipher it.

In this context, while securing data and ensuring authorized access are important aspects of data security, they do not fully capture the essence of what end-to-end encryption entails. The focus here is specifically on the secure communication path between the individual devices of the users involved, rather than simply restricting access or creating unreadable formats during transmission. Therefore, this option accurately represents the core principle of how end-to-end encryption functions.