Be alert! Whatsapp wouldn’t work in these smartphones any more

Individuals using smartphones running on Windows operating systems will not be able to access the messaging app, WhatsApp after December 31st, 2019.

In a notice on its mobile device support blog, WhatsApp says it will no longer develop for smartphones using Windows operating systems.

The app will also stop working for old Android smartphones from February 1st, 2020.

“You’ll no longer be able to use all Windows Phone operating systems after December 31, 2019, and all phones on iOS 7 or older, and Android 2.3.7 and older, as of February 1, 2020.

Because we no longer actively develop for these operating systems, some features might stop functioning at any time,” WhatsApp says.

The announcement comes barely three years after WhatsApp stopped working for Windows Phone 7 in 2016.

A year later, WhatsApp ended support for the app Nokia Symbian S60 as well as the BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10.

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In addition, a vulnerability discovered in the messaging app is being exploited to inject commercial spyware onto Android and iOS phones by simply calling the target.

Once installed, the spyware can turn on a phone’s camera and mic, scan emails and messages, and collect the user’s location data.

WhatsApp is urging its 1.5 billion global users to update the app immediately to close the security hole.

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The popular messaging service said “an advanced cyber actor” infected an unknown number of people with the malware, which was discovered in early May.

A WhatsApp spokesman, who would not be further identified, said an amount “in the dozens at least” would not be inaccurate.

“WhatsApp encourages people to upgrade to the latest version of our app, as well as keep their mobile operating system up to date, to protect against potential targeted exploits designed to compromise information stored on mobile devices,” the spokesman said.

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“We are constantly working alongside industry partners to provide the latest security enhancements to help protect our users.”

The Financial Times reported that a vulnerability in WhatsApp allowed attackers to inject spyware on phones by ringing up targets using the app’s phone call function.

It said the spyware was developed by Israeli cyber surveillance company NSO Group.

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Asked about the report, NSO said its technology is licensed to authorised government agencies “for the sole purpose of fighting crime and terror,” and that it does not operate the system itself.

“We investigate any credible allegations of misuse and if necessary, we take action, including shutting down the system.

“Under no circumstances would NSO be involved in the operating or identifying of targets of its technology, which is solely operated by intelligence and law enforcement agencies,” the company said.

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“NSO would not or could not use its technology in its own right to target any person or organization, including this individual.”

Researchers claim that NSO’s powerful spyware has been used by as many as 45 countries to aid in the persecution of dissidents, journalists, and other innocent civilians.

WhatsApp has about 1.5bn users around the world.

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The messaging app uses end-to-end encryption, making it popular and secure for activists and dissidents.

The Pegasus spyware does not affect or involve the app’s encryption.

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