WhatsApp

A fraudulent Zoom call impersonating Singapore’s prime minister scammed a victim out of US$3.8 million. The scam began with a WhatsApp message from a supposed cabinet secretary inviting the victim to a private meeting, followed by a deepfake-like impersonation during a video call.

A user reports receiving daily SMS messages containing Microsoft verification codes from various numbers, including the official Microsoft number, without accompanying links. Despite contacting Microsoft and removing their number from accounts, the codes continue to arrive.

A user is receiving unsolicited one-time passwords (OTPs) from WesternU via Viber, WhatsApp, and SMS, despite not having an account with WesternU or Western Union. They have blocked messages on WhatsApp and SMS but cannot stop them on Viber due to business chat restrictions.

The government received a response from WhatsApp regarding a notice about its 'username' feature. A senior official stated the Ministry is reviewing the company's reply.

The European Parliament voted to send a revised bill allowing tech companies to scan for child sexual abuse material to EU member states for approval, despite previous rejection in March. The bill now includes an amendment exempting end-to-end encrypted services like WhatsApp and Signal, leading to disappointment among both supporters and critics.

WhatsApp has requested additional time to respond to a notice regarding its 'username' feature, with a reply due on July 9. The company assured the Indian government it will not implement the feature in the country until discussions are finalized.

The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that Bishnoi and his aides used WhatsApp from Gujarat jail to extort victims. The DoJ's claim aligns with the NIA's 2022 chargesheet, which stated Bishnoi's enterprise targeted leaders with violence. Bishnoi's lawyer requests evidence supporting the use of messaging apps.

A user warns about fraudulent online tutoring academies on WhatsApp, such as Roots Millennium Academy, which charge registration fees (900 rupees or 2-4k rupees for others) but fail to connect tutors with students. After payment, the user received unresponsive student contacts and lost communication with the academy's liaison.

The user is receiving unsolicited messages and calls from websites they never visited, claiming they created accounts or showed interest in tools. They received a call from Ceat Tyres alleging a query was raised from their number, which they deny. The user is concerned about potential hacking or scams.

A user received a voicemail from someone claiming to be 'Indeed Human Resources' requesting contact via WhatsApp to discuss a job. The user, who has applied on Indeed, has never encountered a recruiter using WhatsApp and is questioning if this is a scam.

Meta's new Muse Image model accepts Instagram accounts as prompts and is used for effects in Stories and image generation in WhatsApp.

A legal debate is emerging over WhatsApp's username feature, with the Centre expressing concerns about cybercrime risks. The discussion focuses on balancing informational privacy, free choice in technology design, and the extent of state intervention.

A user on the dating app Baklava received a suspicious message from a man claiming someone was using their profile pictures. The man requested to send proof via WhatsApp but did not follow through despite repeated requests, leading the user to block him due to concerns about a potential scam or phishing attempt.

WhatsApp has been granted additional time to respond to a username notice and confirmed it will not roll out the feature in India until ongoing discussions are resolved.

Meta introduced optional WhatsApp usernames as a privacy feature, but reusing Instagram or Facebook handles risks linking accounts across Meta's ecosystem, increasing data correlation and social-engineering risks. The Dutch consumer organization Consumentenbond advises choosing a unique WhatsApp-only username to avoid these privacy issues.

A user received a threatening message on Telegram from an unknown number claiming to be their ex, who knew personal details like their nickname, dating period, and a friend's name. The sender threatened to leak a fake nude video, but the same number's WhatsApp owner denied the claims and threatened retaliation. The user is unsure if the sender is their ex or a scammer.

A user suspects a scam after being recruited via WhatsApp by a 'co-founder' exhibiting red flags, including a fake company deck, lack of LinkedIn profile, and AI-like communication. The user questions the scammer's intent and notes a parallel phone-based job scam attempt.

Apple's Hide My Email service has failed to protect users' email addresses. The article also highlights the extradition of an alleged Scattered Spider hacking group member, widespread errors in license plate readers, and Indian officials' concerns over WhatsApp's new username feature.

A text message from a US number contains a WhatsApp group invitation link for a 'Charles Schwab' AI-assisted investing group. The message includes an image with the Charles Schwab logo and AI investing imagery, but no additional text.

A woman lost her savings to an AI-powered romance scam involving intimate video calls with a deepfake 'Dubai prince'. The scammer initially met her on a dating site before shifting conversations to WhatsApp.

A person's mother, who has a history of staying in abusive relationships, is engaging with online scammers via WhatsApp and TikTok. Despite being shown evidence of a scammer's fake identity, the mother continued interactions, shared personal information like the family's address, and viewed explicit content without realizing its nature. The mother also has a history of health issues, including a stroke, and refuses to seek responsible employment.

The government is summoning Meta for action over Instagram ads promoting child sexual abuse material. It also questioned Meta about potential cybercrime risks from WhatsApp's new feature under the IT Act.

A scam group on Telegram, advertised on TikTok as a job opportunity, evolved into a video task scam and cryptocurrency investment fraud. The victim shared minimal personal information but now faces threats from the scammer, who continues sending money to their account and demanding its return.

Telegram and Signal received notices regarding their username feature, following WhatsApp's directive to pause a similar feature due to scam and impersonation concerns. Spokespersons for Telegram and Signal did not immediately comment.

WhatsApp plans to introduce a feature allowing users to communicate via usernames instead of phone numbers. The Indian Union government has asked the platform to delay this rollout, raising concerns about the potential implications.

The Lahore High Court ruled that creators or administrators of WhatsApp groups are not automatically criminally liable for members' posts, denying bail to a man accused of sharing blasphemous content. The court emphasized that liability arises only if an individual personally uploads or shares objectionable material, referencing Pakistan Penal Code and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act sections.

India has ordered WhatsApp to halt a new username feature due to concerns over messaging anonymity, requiring the company to justify its implementation in the country. The feature, which allows users to message without sharing phone numbers, was part of a global rollout by Meta’s WhatsApp, but India’s intervention aligns with a broader crackdown on messaging anonymity that began with Telegram.

Meta has defended the WhatsApp username feature after the Indian government raised cybersecurity concerns regarding potential scams.

The article discusses how WhatsApp’s username feature could be compared to Telegram’s, with the government warning it might facilitate impersonation and identity spoofing by allowing usernames similar to real people or institutions.

The Union government issued a notice to WhatsApp regarding its username feature due to concerns about impersonation. The feature was scheduled to be rolled out in the coming months.

A job applicant for an admin role received instructions from a recruiter to join specific WhatsApp groups based on location and submit a CV through a website. The process differs for blue and white collar workers, with the applicant expressing concern about the unusual use of WhatsApp in recruitment and questioning if it is a scam.

Scammers are targeting individuals with Japanese phone numbers via WhatsApp, sending phishing messages that mimic Facebook communications. The scammer's access to the victim's phone number suggests a potential data leak on WhatsApp, as they use business accounts to appear legitimate.

A person responded to a job board ad offering money for online advertising tasks, was directed to WhatsApp for 'training,' and withdrawn funds to start earning. They now suspect a scam due to crypto-based transactions and uncertainty about legitimacy.

WhatsApp is introducing usernames to protect user privacy by allowing them to keep their phone numbers hidden. The feature aims to enhance user anonymity within the messaging platform.

WhatsApp will introduce a username feature allowing users to be contacted by unique usernames instead of phone numbers, enhancing privacy. The feature, launching later this year, requires exact usernames for initial contact and reserves handles for high-profile entities to prevent impersonation.

A Venezuela earthquake caused a blackout, prompting families to use WhatsApp to search for missing individuals. The state, which is near-bankrupt, faces challenges in rebuilding without insurance.

WhatsApp is introducing a username feature that allows users to reserve handles before its launch. This update is part of the app's ongoing efforts to enhance user privacy through new additions.

WhatsApp is introducing a feature allowing users to chat without sharing phone numbers by using usernames. Users must act quickly to reserve their desired username.

WhatsApp is introducing a feature that allows users to be identified by usernames instead of phone numbers, aiming to provide three billion users with greater control over who can contact them.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, will allow users to text without sharing phone numbers by reserving a unique username, starting this week with the feature launching later this year. The new feature requires knowing the recipient's exact username to initiate a conversation.