Apple iPhone hacking: WhatsApp, Apple iPhone, Android devices targeted by hackers, says Meta. Here’s what has happened? todayheadline

WhatsApp said Friday it discovered an advanced cyberespionage effort that took advantage of a chain of security vulnerabilities in the app and Apple devices to hack them. A researcher with Amnesty International said unidentified members of civic groups appeared to be among those impacted.

In a brief statement, the Meta Platforms-owned communications service said it had patched the security vulnerability that allowed hackers to take advantage of a second vulnerability on Apple devices and hijack the machines. In a statement, WhatsApp said that fewer than 200 users worldwide had potentially been impacted.

Donncha O Cearbhaill, who heads Amnesty’s Security Lab, told Reuters that his group was starting to collect forensic data from potential victims. In a post on X, he said that initial signs were that the hacking “was impacting both iPhone and Android users, civil society individuals among them.” He said other apps beyond WhatsApp may also have been affected.

Earlier in August, An unusually broad coalition composed of the United States, its traditional English-speaking allies, and other nations including Germany, Italy and Japan are calling out three Chinese companies over alleged hacking activity.

In a 37-page advisory published Wednesday, the countries accused the firms, Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology, Beijing Huanyu Tianqiong Information Technology, and Sichuan Zhixin Ruijie Network Technology, of providing “cyber-related products and services to China’s intelligence services, including multiple units in the People’s Liberation Army and Ministry of State Security.”

Sichuan Juxinhe has already been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury over its alleged ties to the hacking group nicknamed “Salt Typhoon,” which has been accused of gobbling up vast amounts of Americans’ call records, including communications from senior leadership in Washington. Beijing Huanyu Tianqiong and Sichuan Zhixin Ruijie were both allegedly hit by recent and so far unexplained data leaks.Previous attempts to reach Sichuan Juxinhe have been unsuccessful. Reuters could not immediately locate contact information for the other two firms. Beijing typically denies sanctioning cyber-espionage activity.It isn’t unusual for the United States to publicly call out specific Chinese or other foreign entities over their alleged involvement in cyber espionage, and it has occasionally done so in conjunction with other members of the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance: Australia, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand.

FAQs

Q1. Who owns WhatsApp?
A1. Meta platforms owns WhatsApp.

Q2. Are WhatsApp chats encrypted?
A2. WhatsApp chats are encrypted.