WhatsApp encrypted messaging application has 1.5 billion Facebook users hacked

Recently, WhatsApp – a subsidiary with 1.5 billion Facebook users – has just admitted that their system has been hacked. Accordingly, high-skill attackers have successfully installed spyware on users’ smartphones. Currently, Facebook still does not know how many users are affected.

The Financial Times (FT) is the first to report on this incident. They said that the bad guys installed spyware by calling the victim via WhatsApp’s calling feature. After successful installation, they can access the victim’s sensitive information, including location data and private messages.

The FT said that this spyware was developed by NSO Group of Israsel, which owns the Pegasus software which was used to counter human rights activists. However, in a statement sent to FT, the NSO Group denies any connection to the WhatsApp hack.

“Every indication shows that this attack was conducted by a private company in cooperation with governments to provide spyware that can control smartphone operating system features,” WhatsApp shares with FT.

“We have contacted human rights organizations to share the information we have and work with them to inform the community.”

In a statement sent to Business Insider, WhatsApp spokesman wrote: “WhatsApp encourages people to upgrade their apps to our latest version as well as update their mobile operating system on a regular basis to prevent them from returning. become the target of exploiting data stored on mobile devices. We are constantly working with industry partners to launch the latest security enhancements to help protect our users. ”

According to a message on Facebook, WhatsApp acknowledges this problem affects both Android, iOS and Windows Phone smartphones. A new update released Monday (April 13) has solved this problem and users need to update immediately whether they receive any suspicious calls or not.

According to FT, the US Department of Justice has received information about this hack since last month.

In 2014, Facebook spent $ 19 billion to buy WhatsApp. According to the latest data, WhatsApp has 1.5 billion users from 180 countries around the world. This application features an end-to-end encryption capability for all messages and calls.