WhatsApp issues alert after users download fake spyware app: Here’s how to avoid such threats

WhatsApp has notified roughly 200 users who were deceived into downloading a counterfeit version of the messaging app that had been laced with spyware. The platform said the fraudulent app was built by Italian surveillance software company SIO and was designed to target iPhone users.

In a statement to TechCrunch, WhatsApp said its security team tracked down the affected accounts, most of whom were based in Italy. The company has since logged all of them out of the platform and sent direct alerts warning them of the threat.