VIENNA / LONDON (IT BOLTWISE) – A massive data leak on WhatsApp has shaken the digital privacy of billions of users worldwide. Researchers from Austria discovered that all user profiles of the popular messenger could be accessed unprotected on the Internet. This raises significant questions about WhatsApp’s security architecture.
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A recently discovered WhatsApp data breach has compromised the digital privacy of over 3.5 billion users worldwide. Researchers from Austria discovered that all user profiles of the popular messenger could be accessed on the Internet without any technical barriers. This vulnerability allowed phone numbers, public keys and other profile details to be extracted directly from the WhatsApp directory, raising significant questions about WhatsApp’s security architecture.
What is particularly explosive is the fact that this comprehensive access was possible without any authentication. This shows that even encrypted communication services do not automatically protect against data misuse. The researchers did not use any illegal methods, but only publicly accessible interfaces to collect the data. This discovery is one of the largest known data leaks in digital history and highlights the need for greater regulation and transparency in data processing by major platforms.
The affected data could be used for targeted attacks, identity theft or unwanted contact. Users should therefore be particularly vigilant if they receive unusual messages or calls. The possibility that this information is circulating in criminal networks cannot be ruled out. The researchers are now calling for stronger regulation and more transparency in data processing by large platforms.
Meta, the operator of WhatsApp, has so far reacted cautiously to the new findings. An official statement on the extent of the leak is still pending. However, this reluctance could further undermine users’ trust, especially since researchers had already pointed out vulnerabilities in WhatsApp in the past. The discovery shows that basic protection mechanisms are missing to protect central user data from misuse.
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