A bug in Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging app is being exploited to inject spyware onto Android and iOS phones by simply calling the person.The spyware which has been developed by Israel’s secretive NSO group, can be installed on your smartphone without any trace and without the person even answering the call.
Once installed, the spyware can turn on the smartphone’s camera and mic, scan emails and messages, and collect user’s location data.
WhatsApp has urged its 1.5 billion global users to update the app immediately to prevent their data from being leaked.
“WhatsApp encourages people to upgrade to the latest version of our app, as well as keep their mobile operating system up to date, to protect against potential targeted exploits designed to compromise information stored on mobile devices,” said WhatsApp in a statement.
“This attack has all the hallmarks of a private company known to work with governments to deliver spyware that reportedly takes over the functions of mobile phone operating systems,” WhatsApp told The Financial Times.
