WhatsApp Flaw Allows Cyber o6h55 Stalking via Online Status, Researchers Say

Cybersecurity firm Traced has discovered apps and services that cyber-stalkers could use to track individuals coming online on WhatsApp. 1oh28

By Jagmeet Singh | Updated: 16 April 2021 18:44 IST

Photo Credit: Reuters 3v6d2p

WhatsApp doesn’t allow s to disable or change their online status

Highlights

WhatsApp online status trackers are available on the Web
Cyberstalkers just need to use the trackers to stalk s
WhatsApp s could be tracked when they come online

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WhatsApp has been found to have a flaw that could allow third parties to stalk s, security researchers say. The issue comes through the online status feature of the instant messaging app that is available by default. A list of Android and iPhone apps as well as some Web services are available that exploit the online status feature to let third parties track individuals — without gaining their consent. Cyber-stalkers may use such tracking solutions to keep an eye on WhatsApp s.

Cybersecurity firm Traced has WhatsApp. “You can enter any mobile phone number, and if that person uses WhatsApp, the status tracker will provide the exact date and time that person opened WhatsApp,” the company explained in a blog post.

WhatsApp has provided the online status feature to let people know when you're online. However, unlike features such as Last Seen and Status messages, you don't have the option to disable or change your online status. This is what could be exploited by third parties.

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Traced found that many WhatsApp online status trackers market themselves as a solution to help people know when their s come online on the app. However, they could simply be used by cyber-stalkers to constantly monitor others.

Some WhatsApp online status trackers are also found to allow s to enter the phone numbers of two individuals. This helps to presume whether both s are chatting with each other on the app at a particular time.

Google Play pretend as solutions to let parents and spouses know when their loved ones are online on WhatsApp.

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This isn't the case with the Web-based online trackers as some of them are promoted clearly as the solution to track individual's WhatsApp s.

It is important to note that online trackers can only be used to see when someone uses WhatsApp. This means that the tracking solutions fortunately do not allow an individual to look at their messages or online activity. Third parties also need s' WhatsApp associated phone numbers to track their online status.

Having said that, the way WhatsApp has designed its online status feature appears to be the prime cause to allow this form of cyber-stalking through third-party solutions. When ed, a WhatsApp spokesperson gave this statement to Gadgets 360:

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“We provide a setting to allow people to choose who can view the time a was ‘last seen' within WhatsApp. To help prevent abuse, we regularly work with app stores to seek the removal of apps that attempt to violate our of service. We have banned the WhatsApp s associated with such websites, requested Google remove such apps from the Play Store, and also take legal action, as appropriate. Automating WhatsApp's features to scrape information is a violation of our of service and we will continue to take action to protect the privacy of our s and help prevent abuse.” - WhatsApp spokesperson

Earlier this week, a WhatsApp vulnerability was discovered that allows attackers to update that will allow sharing of some data with businesses.

Does WhatsApp's new spell the end for your privacy? We discussed this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

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