National Security & Defense

Eugene

(62,626 posts) Thu Oct 31, 2019, 11:37 AM Oct 2019

WhatsApp hacked to spy on top government officials at U.S. allies - sources

Source: Reuters

BUSINESS NEWS OCTOBER 31, 2019 / 12:04 PM / UPDATED 7 MINUTES AGO

Exclusive: WhatsApp hacked to spy on top government officials at U.S. allies - sources

Christopher Bing, Raphael Satter
3 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior government officials in multiple U.S.-allied countries were targeted earlier this year with hacking software that used Facebook Inc’s (FB.O) WhatsApp to take over users’ phones, according to people familiar with the messaging company’s investigation.

Sources familiar with WhatsApp’s internal investigation into the breach said a “significant” portion of the known victims are high-profile government and military officials spread across at least 20 countries on five continents.

The hacking of a wider group of top government officials’ smartphones than previously reported suggests the WhatsApp cyber intrusion could have broad political and diplomatic consequences.

WhatsApp filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Israeli hacking tool developer NSO Group. The Facebook-owned software giant alleges that NSO Group built and sold a hacking platform that exploited a flaw in WhatsApp-owned servers to help clients hack into the cellphones of at least 1,400 users.

While it is not clear who used the software to hack officials’ phones, NSO says it sells its spyware exclusively to government customers.

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5 replies

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Highlight:

WhatsApp hacked to spy on top government officials at U.S. allies - sources (Original Post) Eugene Oct 2019 OP

Isn't this the app that it was previously reported that Jared used? nature-lover Oct 2019 #1

Oh Goodie! leftieNanner Oct 2019 #3

it is time government people with a need for secure communications to stop using WhatsApp. PuppyBismark Oct 2019 #2

I refuse to install any Facebook app on my phones for security reasons RainCaster Oct 2019 #5

This sounds like my recurring nightmare, Israeli cyber skill melded with Russian plots bigbrother05 Oct 2019 #4

nature-lover

(1,700 posts)

1. Isn't this the app that it was previously reported that Jared used?

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Thu Oct 31, 2019, 11:41 AM

Oct 2019

leftieNanner

(15,673 posts)

3. Oh Goodie!

Reply to nature-lover (Reply #1)

Thu Oct 31, 2019, 11:53 AM

Oct 2019

Then maybe we can find out what he discussed with his BFF MBS!

PuppyBismark

(607 posts)

2. it is time government people with a need for secure communications to stop using WhatsApp.

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Thu Oct 31, 2019, 11:49 AM

Oct 2019

Many American companies tell their employees not to use it.

RainCaster

(11,504 posts)

5. I refuse to install any Facebook app on my phones for security reasons

Reply to PuppyBismark (Reply #2)

Thu Oct 31, 2019, 12:26 PM

Oct 2019

They care very little for security. It's all about getting it out there quickly with a shit-ton of features. Including loads of bugs that cause back doors.

bigbrother05

(5,995 posts)

4. This sounds like my recurring nightmare, Israeli cyber skill melded with Russian plots

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Thu Oct 31, 2019, 11:57 AM

Oct 2019

With Trump being at a nexus between Bibi and Vlad, a broad cyber conspiracy to take over Western democracies is a Bond/Mission Impossible plot IRL.

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