WHATSAPP USERS HACKED

Meta has confirmed that WhatsApp has been hacked.

Certain users of the secure messaging platform have been impacted by this zero-click, no-interaction attack.

WhatsApp told The Guardian newspaper that it had high confidence the users it had reached out to had been targeted and possibly compromised. What makes this kind of attack extremely worrying is that there was no interaction between the hackers and the users and that the users weren’t required to click anything.

Meta has confirmed that the hack “targeted a number of users including journalists and members of civil society”, and is currently notifying those thought to have been victims of the as yet unnamed attackers.

“This is the latest example of why spyware companies must be held accountable for their unlawful actions. WhatsApp will continue to protect people’s ability to communicate privately,” a Meta spokesperson said.

At this stage the facts are limited, but it’s been confirmed that around 90 high-risk users were targeted. Meta hasn’t confirmed where they’re located but it’s believed they were from all over the world.

Forbes reports that (the affected users) were compromised by spyware from an Israel-based software company called Paragon Solutions. It’s understood that Meta has issued a cease and desist letter to Paragon.

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