WhatsApp Urges 1.5 Billion Users To Update The App After Fixing A Bug That Allowed Spyware

After the discovery of a vulnerability allowing installation of spyware on phones, popular messaging platform WhatsApp has urged its worldwide 1.5 billion users to update their app so that they can defend from potential targeted exploits.

According to the Facebook-owned company, earlier May, it found and immediately fixed a vulnerability which could let attackers insert as well as execute code on mobile phones. In addition, the company said it has changed its infrastructure to avoid this attack.

While the attacker’s name remained unknown, WhatsApp stated that the attack carried all the qualities of a private firm which was reported to work with the government for delivering spyware that takes over the phone OS systems’ functions. A WhatsApp spokesperson said in an email that users are encouraged to update the app to the latest version and to always update their mobile OS.

The spokesperson further said:

Reports point out that NSO Group, an Israeli cyber intelligence firm, developed the spyware. The vulnerability let attackers install spyware on the mobile device through voice call on the app, either the call is answered or not.

The end-to-end encrypted platform WhatsApp did not reveal how many people have likely been affected by the vulnerability. The largest part of WhatsApp users is in India, registering more than 200 million. The company said it is investigating the issue and has transfer the information to law enforcement agencies in the US to help their investigation.