How 3.5B WhatsApp numbers were scraped and exposed

Fox News TechThursday, December 4, 2025 at 1:18:21 PM
NegativeTechnology
How 3.5B WhatsApp numbers were scraped and exposed
  • Researchers have uncovered a significant security flaw in WhatsApp, allowing the scraping of 3.5 billion phone numbers through the app's contact discovery feature. This breach raises serious concerns about user privacy and data security, as sensitive metadata may also be exposed.
  • The incident poses a substantial challenge for WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta, as it undermines user trust and highlights vulnerabilities in their security infrastructure. The company is under pressure to enhance its security measures to prevent future breaches.
  • This data breach occurs amid increasing scrutiny of WhatsApp's practices, including potential regulatory actions by the European Union and threats of bans in countries like Russia. The ongoing debates around digital privacy and security are intensified by this incident, reflecting broader concerns about the safety of user data in the tech industry.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System

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