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WhatsApp Says Italian Surveillance Company Tricked Around 200 Users Into Downloading Spyware
WhatsApp said the campaign used social engineering and logged affected users out after discovering the fake client, which carried spyware built by SIO.
- WhatsApp notified approximately 200 users, primarily in Italy, that they were tricked into installing a counterfeit version of the messaging app containing government spyware from Italian firm SIO.
- The malware, identified in its code as 'Spyrtacus,' was developed by ASIGINT, a subsidiary of SIO, which provides cyber intelligence solutions to law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
- Unlike zero-click exploits, this operation relied on social engineering to trick victims into installing the malicious application, which could steal messages, call logs, and record audio and video.
- WhatsApp logged affected users out of their accounts, warned them of privacy risks, and confirmed plans to send a formal legal demand to SIO to halt the malicious activity.
- This marks the second time in 15 months Meta has disrupted spyware activity in Italy, where permissive regulations and low costs have fueled a thriving surveillance ecosystem.
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29 Articles
29 Articles
der Standard ATReposted by 
der Standard DE
der Standard DETargeted attack on about 200 people. The Italian spyware manufacturer Asigint is supposed to be behind it.
·Vienna, Austria
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WhatsApp has separated affected accounts and requested to switch to the official app. Now the company announces legal action.
WhatsApp: Italian firm targeted around 200 users with spyware
Messaging service WhatsApp said an Italian surveillance company tricked some 200 users into downloading a bogus version of its popular app that was rigged to spy on its victims.In a statement, the Meta Platforms-owned service said the campaign was carried
·Beijing, China
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WhatsApp notifies 200 users who installed fake app built by Italian spyware maker SIO
WhatsApp has warned around 200 users in Italy that they installed a fake version of the app containing spyware made by SIO. The company plans legal action against the surveillance firm.
·Amsterdam, Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
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Total News Sources29
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 40%
C 60%
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