Researchers found a significant security flaw in WhatsApp that allowed hackers to easily access phone numbers and some profile information for all 3.5 billion users. Despite being warned about the issue since 2017, Meta only implemented a fix in October 2023. Users are urged to review their privacy settings to protect their information.

WhatsApp has launched a new feature called Strict Account Settings, which allows users to enhance their privacy with a single toggle. This mode restricts various functionalities, making users less visible and enabling stronger security measures. Additionally, Meta has replaced an old media-handling library with a new one built in Rust for better security.

A class action lawsuit claims WhatsApp misrepresents its end-to-end encryption, alleging that user messages are accessible to Meta. The article discusses the implications of these allegations and the technical aspects of WhatsApp's encryption system.

Meta plans to monetize WhatsApp by introducing advertisements in the app's Updates section, despite assurances that personal messages will remain private. Privacy experts express skepticism, citing Meta's history with data handling and the potential risks associated with ad-targeting based on user data.

A former security chief of WhatsApp, Attaullah Baig, has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Meta, alleging that the company failed to address significant cybersecurity flaws that jeopardized user data privacy. The lawsuit claims that around 1,500 engineers had unrestricted access to personal user information, violating a previous Federal Trade Commission order. Meta has denied the allegations presented in the lawsuit.