JOIN USWhatsApp denies data breach, says user data is safe
Messaging platform WhatsApp on Monday denied reports that data and phone numbers of several WhatsApp users was leaked and being sold on the dark web.
Last weekend, news platform CyberNews allegedly found a trove of a digital dataset of around 500 million WhatsApp users 'on sale' with a different pricing structure based on the users' origin on the darknet.
The dataset for the US (3.2 crore users) was reportedly being sold for $7,000, for the UK (1.1 crore users), they had priced $2,500, and Germany (around 60 lakh users) for $2,000.
User data of around 61 lakh Indian citizens were also available to the highest bidder.
#WhatsApp #dataleak: 500 million user records for sale. The #threat actor told @CyberNews they were selling the #US #dataset for $7,000, the #UK – $2,500, and #Germany – $2,000. Check if your country has been affected. Read more: https://t.co/YT8CwV2cLo#cybersecurity #infosec pic.twitter.com/ZsfakpLC3A
— CyberNews (@CyberNews) November 26, 2022
WhatsApp has categorically rejected the report by CyberNews. in a response to DH, the Meta-owned messaging app said that CyberNews had no substantial evidence to prove the user data it had shown was taken from WhatsApp.
"The claim written on Cybernews is based on unsubstantiated screenshots. There is no evidence of a ‘data leak’ from WhatsApp." WhatsApp Spokesperson said to DH.
There is no official report on any bad actors misusing the leaked user data as such. With email IDs and phone numbers, hackers use phishing techniques to prey on naive users.
We advise all readers who are active online to always exercise caution whenever they receive any messages or threats via email or SMS.
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