WhatsApp has identified a fake version of the chat app (which is available at the Apple App Store) created by the Italian company Asigint, according to ANSA.
“Our security team identified around 200 users, most of them in Italy, who we believe may have downloaded this unofficial and malicious client,” WhatsApp reps told ANSA. “We logged them out and warned them about the privacy and security risks. […] We believe this was a social engineering attempt targeting a limited number of users, aimed at convincing them to install malicious software that mimicked WhatsApp, likely to gain access to their devices.”
They also confirmed that the company took action against Italian spyware firm Asigint, which is controlled by Sio Spa and is believed to be behind the attack.
WhatsApp spokesperson Margarita Franklin told TechCrunch that, at this point, the company can[t share more information about the users it notified.
“Our priority has been protecting the users who may have been tricked into downloading this fake iOS app,” Franklin said.
WhatsApp is an American social media, instant messaging (IM), and Voice over IP (VoIP) service accessible via desktop and mobile app. It’s owned by Meta
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