Beware strangers could be tracking you on WhatsApp by exploiting a built-in flaw in the mobile messaging service.
A Dutch developer has developed a tool called WhatsSpy Public to reveal what he believes are WhatsApp's "broken" privacy options.
WhatsSpy Public allows an individual to track other users' status updates, whether they are online or offline, as well as their profile pictures.
"You may think presently you've set all options to "nobody" you are safe, privacy-wise, but nevertheless I can still track your moves on WhatsApp,” says Maikel Zweerink, who developed the spy tool.
"The capacity for a complete stranger to follow your in-app status is pretty creepy and might have been abused already. This is not a 'hack' or an 'exploit' but it’s flaw in design."
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| The spytool |
The spytool can be used to monitor virtually all of WhatsApp's 700 million monthly users - many of whom are teens. Thankfully it won't display any of the messages you send.
The developer Zweerink stated that he tracked his brother for a whole day and could almost exactly pinpoint his activities.
"I later called him and told him and he was completely shocked, since all his privacy options were set to ‘nobody’."
Zweerink has released the software up online, although it involves some technical know-how to set it up.
Once in order it can track any use and will show a timeline of their online status as well as showing their profile pictures.
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