It is a common notion that instant messaging apps like WhatsApp must implement the strongest possible encryption to prevent user tracking and privacy invasion. That’s fine from a user’s perspective. However, what if the user is a potential terrorist and the law enforcement fails to nab the individual only because of the security restrictions?
The same has happened in a recent incident involving European law enforcement and an alleged ISIS member.
The Wall Street Journal reports that European investigators had managed to install spyware in the mobile phone of a suspected terrorist having links with the so-called Islamic State. Through the spyware, the investigators were tracking the suspect and were about to locate him but failed because the suspect was warned by WhatsApp.
Resultantly, the suspect shut off his phone and the investigators were unable to track his whereabouts any further.
See: SnoopSnitch — An App That Detects Govt’s Stingray Mobile Trackers
Reportedly, on 29 October 2019, the Facebook-owned WhatsApp sent a warning to 1,400 users including journalists and activists informing them that their phone is hacked by a very “advanced cyber actor.” The suspect was among those users receiving the warning.
The warning message read:
“An advanced cyber actor exploited our video calling to install malware on user devices. There’s a possibility this phone number was i ..
Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.
