An official statement from WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, confirmed that the popular messaging app has been subjected to a serious cyberattack. Both Android and iOS devices were affected. The attack is being investigated by the Amnesty International Security Lab.

Hackers Attack WhatsApp This Time

The attackers targeted specific individuals rather than random users and managed to bypass WhatsApp’s security measures. According to reports, NGO employees are among those most affected.

The attack method is unusual, raising concerns about potential future attacks. It’s also indicated that the attack wasn’t limited to WhatsApp, and the hackers may have exploited vulnerabilities in other applications.

Neither Meta nor WhatsApp officials have announced that the vulnerability has been patched. Cybersecurity experts emphasize that users should update their devices’ software to the latest version to protect themselves from such attacks. As always, avoiding clicking on unknown content is a key security precaution.

While the investigation into the incident continues, cybersecurity experts say this attack once again demonstrates how widespread targeted and sophisticated attacks can become. These attacks, which particularly target vulnerable groups such as political activists, journalists, and human rights defenders, are said to threaten not only personal data but also civil society and freedom of expression.

The attack demonstrates that even major technology companies are not completely immune to security vulnerabilities, and it also serves as a reminder that users must be more proactive in ensuring their own security.