WhatsApp reveals attack by ‘advanced cyber actor’

Reports say service was targeted by an Israeli security firm

WhatsApp
(Image credit: Carl Court/Getty Images)

WhatsApp has suffered a “targeted” surveillance attack on its messaging service.

The messaging app, which is owned by Facebook and used by 1.5bn people worldwide, said the attack targeted a “select number” of users, and was carried out by “an advanced cyber actor”. It is an embarrassing development for the service’s owner, which has faced mounting criticism over privacy concerns.

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