WhatsApp CEO has a ‘warning reminder’ for Android smartphone users – Times of India

Android smartphone users in India, WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart has a warning for you. In a long thread on Twitter, the CEO of the most-popular instant messaging app in the world, WhatsApp, has advised users not to use fake or modified versions of WhatsApp. “Reminder to @WhatsApp users that downloading a fake or modified version of WhatsApp is never a good idea. These apps sound harmless but they may work around WhatsApp privacy and security guarantees,” he says in a tweet. The tweet is followed by a thread of tweets that warns users about an Android app called ‘Hey WhatsApp’. The app with malware hidden inside has been discovered by the company’s researchers.
Here’s the complete thread:
“These apps promised new features but were just a scam to steal personal information stored on people’s phones. We’ve shared what we found with Google and worked with them to combat the malicious apps.”
“Google Play Protect on Android can now detect and disable previously downloaded malicious fake versions of WhatsApp. We appreciate the help of Google for their continued work to prevent malicious apps from proliferating on Android devices.”
“We’ll of course continue our efforts to detect and block these kinds of apps going forward. We’re also taking enforcement action against HeyMods to stop future harm, and will further explore legal options to hold HeyMods and others like them accountable.”
“Mobile phone malware is a pernicious threat that must be countered and the security community continues to develop new ways to prevent it from spreading.”
“If you see friends or family using a different form of WhatsApp please encourage them to only use WhatsApp from a trusted app store or our official website directly at http://WhatsApp.com/dl.”
Why this is a reminder warning from WhatsApp
This is not the first time that WhatsApp is warning users against using modded versions of WhatsApp. The company has a full FAQ page where it tells users that their account can be permanently banned from using WhatsApp if they are caught using unsupported versions of the app. “If you don’t switch to the official app or stop engaging in scraping after being temporarily banned, your account might be permanently banned from using WhatsApp,” says the FAQ page.
What are these third-party WhatsApp apps
Third-party or unsupported WhatsApp apps are altered versions of WhatsApp. These unofficial apps are developed by third parties and violate WhatsApp’s Terms of Service.
Why warning is important for Android users in India
The warning is global and is for everyone. At the same time, it is important for Android users in India as the country is one of the biggest markets for both WhatsApp. as well as Google’s Android operating system.