Following up on yesterday’s revelations of a security flaw in the Android version of WhatsApp, the company has issued a statement that shrugs off the security issue.
For those who are unaware, a security exploit was found by tech consultant Bas Bosschert, who proceeded to issue a warning on his website that told of an exploit in the app’s Android encryption that would enable another app to access WhatsApp chat transcripts and use them for any purpose. The cause of the exploit was WhatsApp’s built-in ability to back up messages to SD cards. WhatsApp, though, is not convinced that Bosschert is completely accurate and told TechCrunch:
“The current version of WhatsApp in Google Play was updated to further protect our users”
“We are aware of the reports regarding a ‘security flaw.’ Unfortunately, these reports have not painted an accurate picture and are overstated. Under normal circumstances the data on a microSD card is not exposed. However, if a device owner downloads malware or a virus, their phone will be at risk. As always, we recommend WhatsApp users apply all software updates to ensure they have the latest security fixes and we strongly encourage users to only download trusted software from reputable companies. The current version of WhatsApp in Google Play was updated to further protect our users against malicious apps.”
We’ve seen plenty of cases of Malware in the past on the Android platform, and according to the company, it’s not a WhatsApp problem but one that could potentially affect any app. As always, it’s a good idea to have the most recent updates installed on your device and be mindful of what you’re downloading in Google Play.