This archive report was first published on 21 November 2019.
On November 20, 2019, India's Computer Emergency Response Team issued a warning over a malicious video allegedly intended to remotely exploit WhatsApp accounts.
According to the warning, the video allows hackers to access people's messages when they share the MP4 file with their contacts.
Although WhatsApp confirmed the warning, the company refuted claims linking the hacking attempts to a shared video file, stating that users were instead targeted with spyware developed by the Israeli technology firm NSO Group.
“We make public reports on potential issues we have fixed consistent with industry best practices. In this instance, there is no reason to believe that users were impacted,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said.
Earlier this month, 1,400 people around the world were targeted, receiving an alarming message alleging that their WhatsApp account could have been compromised.
