The landmark trial between WhatsApp and NSO Group unearthed several new revelations. We recap some of them here.
Category: WhatsApp
Global Security News, Meta, NSO Group, privacy, Spyware, Technology, U.S. courts, WhatsApp
NSO Group owes $168M in damages to WhatsApp over spyware infections, jury says
A federal jury decided Tuesday that NSO Group must pay WhatsApp approximately $168 million in damages after a judge ruled that it violated anti-hacking laws when 1,400 of the messaging application’s users became infected with Pegasus spyware. It’s the latest in a series of wins in court for WhatsApp in its pioneering lawsuit that has produced…
AI, Apps, Global Security News, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, Social, WhatsApp
WhatsApp now has more than 3 billion users a month
WhatsApp now has more than 3 billion people using it every month, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted during the company’s Q1 results conference call on Wednesday. Founded in 2009 and acquired by Facebook for $19 billion in 2014, WhatsApp remains free to use and doesn’t serve any ads. The app reached the 2 billion monthly…
AI, Apps, Europe, Global Security News, Memes, WhatsApp
Grouphug is a stealth-mode startup that plans use AI inside WhatsApp groups
Veterans of the European startup scene, who’ve launched multiple consumer apps in the past, are partly coming out of stealth Tuesday with a new app. On the face of it, Grouphug will simply generate memes from the archive of a group WhatsApp chat. However, that masks a wider play. Grouphug is led by Felix Petersen,…
Apps, Global Security News, Meta, Social, WhatsApp
WhatsApp’s latest feature makes your messages even more private
WhatsApp announced on Wednesday it’s launching a new feature that will allow users to add an extra layer of privacy to chats. The new “Advanced Chat Privacy” setting prevents you and the people you’re chatting with from exporting chats and auto-downloading media to their phone. The setting also prevents users from mentioning Meta AI in…
Access Now, Exploits, Global Security News, Israel, Jamal Khashoggi, NSO Group, privacy, Spyware, Technology, U.S. courts, WhatsApp
Judge limits evidence about NSO Group customers, victims in damages trial
A federal judge last week placed strict limits on the kind of evidence NSO Group can raise during a trial on damages in the lawsuit WhatsApp brought against the spyware vendor over allegations it hacked 1,400 of the messaging platform’s users. Under the order, NSO Group is prohibited from presenting evidence about its customers’ identities,…
Apps, Global Security News, Meta, Social, WhatsApp
WhatsApp introduces new features across chats, calls, and channels
WhatsApp has announced a slew of new updates across chats, calls, and channels designed to enhance the messaging and calling experience for users as it continues to compete with popular services like Telegram and Discord. Among the most notable additions is an “Online” indicator that appears at the top of a group chat to show…
Apps, Global Security News, messaging platform, Meta, Social, WhatsApp
WhatsApp users can now add songs to their Status updates
WhatsApp launched a new feature on Friday, where users can include brief music clips in their Status updates, reminiscent of the Myspace era. Status resembles Instagram Stories and allows users to share photos, videos, and text that disappear after 24 hours. When creating a new Status, users can tap on a music note icon to…
evergreens, Facebook, Global Security News, Instagram, Meta, Outlook, Security, signal, Twitter, WhatsApp
How to tell if your online accounts have been hacked
This is a guide on how to check whether someone compromised your online accounts.
Apps, broadcast messages, Global IT News, Global Security News, Meta, WhatsApp, whatsapp business
WhatsApp will soon limit number of broadcast messages users and businesses can send
Chat platform WhatsApp said today that it will limit the number of broadcast messages individual users and businesses can send to curb spam on the app. In the coming weeks, the company will start testing limits on individual broadcast messages. Under these limits, WhatsApp will put a monthly limit on the number of broadcasts. While…
Global Security News, Guest blog, Microsoft, Microsoft Teams, North America, phishing, WhatsApp
Got a Microsoft Teams invite? Storm-2372 gang exploit device codes in global phishing attacks
Security experts have warned that a cybercriminal group has been running a malicious and inventive phishing campaign since August 2024 to break into organizations across Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Read more in my article on the Tripwire State of Security blog.
Android, Cybersecurity, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Hackers, hacking, Italy, Lookout, malware, Security, SIO, Spyware, WhatsApp
Spyware maker caught distributing malicious Android apps for years
Italian company SIO, which sells to government customers, is behind an Android spyware campaign called Spyrtacus that spoofed popular apps like WhatsApp, per security researchers. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hackers, hacking, Israel, Italy, paragon, privacy, Security, Spyware, surveillance, WhatsApp
Another person targeted by Paragon spyware comes forward
Four people have so far come forward as victims of the Paragon spyware campaign targeting WhatsApp users, including one journalist and three activists. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Cybersecurity, Europe, Giorgia Meloni, Global IT News, Global Security News, hacking, Israel, Italy, Meta, paragon, Paragon Solutions, Security, Spyware, WhatsApp
Spyware maker Paragon terminates contract with Italian government: media reports
Following allegations of potential abuse, Paragon Solutions has cut off Italy from its spyware systems. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Cybersecurity, Europe, Giorgia Meloni, Global Security News, government spyware, hacking, Italy, paragon, Paragon Solutions, Security, Spyware, surveillance, WhatsApp
Paragon spyware used to target citizens across Europe, says Italian government
WhatsApp said users in several European countries were targeted with Paragon spyware, according to the Italian government. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AE Industrial, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hackers, hacking, Israel, Italy, Paragon Solutions, Pragon, Security, Spyware, WhatsApp
New target of Paragon spyware comes forward
The latest target of Paragon spyware openly questions if he was targeted by the Italian government. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AE Industrial, Cybersecurity, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, government spyware, hacking, Meta, paragon, Paragon Solutions, Security, surveillance, WhatsApp
Spyware maker Paragon confirms U.S. government is a customer
Israeli spyware maker Paragon Solutions confirmed to TechCrunch that it sells its products to the U.S. government and other unspecified allied countries. Paragon’s executive chairman John Fleming said in a statement to TechCrunch on Tuesday that, “Paragon licenses its technology to a select group of global democracies — principally, the United States and its allies.”…
AE Industrial, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hackers, hacking, Israel, journalism, Meta, paragon, Paragon Solutions, Security, Spyware, WhatsApp
Journalist targeted on WhatsApp by Paragon spyware: “I feel violated”
An Italian investigative journalist said he was the target of a spyware attack disclosed by WhatsApp. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Citizen Lab, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, ICE, NSO Group, paragon, privacy, Spyware, Technology, Threats, U.S. courts, WhatsApp
WhatsApp says it disrupted spyware campaign aimed at reporters, civil society
WhatsApp said Friday that it had disrupted a spyware campaign that targeted 90 people, including journalists and activists. The company tied to the campaign, according to WhatsApp, is Israeli firm Paragon, which last fall signed a $2 million contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and recently was purchased by U.S. private equity giant AE International.…
AE Industrial, Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hackers, hacking, Israel, Meta, paragon, Security, Spyware, surveillance, WhatsApp
WhatsApp says it disrupted a hacking campaign targeting journalists with Paragon spyware
The Meta-owned company said the campaign was linked to Israeli spyware maker Paragon. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Global IT News, Global Security News, India, Meta, privacy, Social, WhatsApp
WhatsApp wins reprieve in India over user data sharing
An Indian tribunal on Thursday suspended restrictions that would have barred WhatsApp from sharing user data with its parent company Meta, delivering a significant victory for Mark Zuckerberg’s social media empire in its largest market by users. The ruling by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal temporarily lifts a five-year ban imposed by India’s antitrust…
Apps, Facebook, Global IT News, Global Security News, Instagram, Meta, Social, WhatsApp
Meta will soon let you link your WhatsApp account with Instagram and Facebook
Meta announced on Tuesday that users will soon be able to add their WhatsApp account to their Accounts Center, a hub where users can manage connected experiences across their Facebook, Instagram, and Meta Quest accounts. With this integration, users will be able to cross-post their WhatsApp Status as Stories on Instagram and Facebook, getting rid…
Department of Justice (DOJ), FSB, Geopolitics, Global Security News, Government, Microsoft, phishing, Russia, Star Blizzard, Threats, WhatsApp
Microsoft catches Russian state-sponsored hackers shifting tactics to WhatsApp
The cat-and-mouse game between state-sponsored Russian hackers and one of the world’s biggest technology companies has continued into 2025. Microsoft’s threat intelligence team published research Thursday examining how a state-sponsored Russian threat actor group, known as Star Blizzard, has altered its longstanding attack strategies to target WhatsApp accounts. This attack vector is a significant change…
Apps, Camera filters, Global IT News, Global Security News, Meta, stickers, WhatsApp
WhatsApp is adding a way to turn selfies into stickers
WhatsApp is adding new features including creating new stickers from selfies, sharing sticker packs, and adding new camera effects. Stickers and camera effects are good engagement ploys to keep users interacting with their contacts. The chat app added the ability to create custom stickers from photos last year. Now, the company is adding an option…
Apps, Fintech, Global IT News, Global Security News, India, WhatsApp, WhatsApp Pay
India lifts WhatsApp payment curbs
India has removed restrictions on WhatsApp’s mobile payments service in a significant victory for Meta in its largest market by users as it seeks to compete with entrenched fintech rivals. The National Payments Corporation of India, the payments body overseeing the popular UPI payments network, said Tuesday that WhatsApp can now roll out WhatsApp Pay…
california, Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), Global Security News, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, North America, NSO Group, pegasus, privacy, Spyware, U.S. courts, WhatsApp
Judge grants ruling in favor of WhatsApp against spyware firm NSO Group
A federal judge has dealt the first major legal blow against spyware maker NSO Group, ruling in favor of WhatsApp in a five-year-old lawsuit against the Israeli firm over allegations that it hacked the chat service. Northern California District Court Judge Phyllis Hamilton made her ruling on Friday as a summary judgment, thus not requiring…
Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, NSO Group, pegasus, privacy, Security, Spyware, WhatsApp
WhatsApp scores historic victory against NSO Group in long-running spyware hacking case
A US judge ruled that the Israeli spyware maker breached hacking laws by using WhatsApp to infect devices with Pegasus © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Meta, video calls, WhatsApp
WhatsApp lets you select specific people within a group to start a group call without disturbing anyone
WhatsApp announced that it had added new video calling features just before the holidays, including participant selection for group video calls, better resolution, and a revamped call tab on the desktop. This is another step from Meta in making WhatsApp a viable option for both personal and work calls instead of using Google Meet or…