WhatsApp Plus is different from the official WhatsApp version because it was modified by unknown developers.
This means it doesn’t have the same security protections as the authentic WhatsApp app.
Using WhatsApp Plus can put your chats, data, and privacy at risk. Your data could be stolen or misused.
Before using WhatsApp Plus, users should be aware of the significant security and privacy issues it presents.
In this post, We discuss all security and privacy issues of using WhatsApp Plus.
- 1 Third Party Data Collection
- 2 Lack of End-to-End Encryption
- 3 Vulnerability to Attacks and Malware
- 4 Not Compatible With Two-Factor Authentication
- 5 Prohibitions and Suspension of Accounts
- 6 Sharing Personal Data With Contacts
- 7 Absence of Important Security Updates
- 8 Risk of Unwanted Permissions for Applications
Third Party Data Collection
- WhatsApp Plus has been developed by independent developers not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta.
- These third-party developers are not subject to Meta’s data policies and may collect user data, such as phone numbers, message logs, connection times, media, etc., without your explicit and informed consent.
- They may collect data for targeted advertisements or share it with third parties for marketing and analytics purposes without users’ knowledge.
Lack of End-to-End Encryption
- WhatsApp has end-to-end encryption enabled by default for all individual and group chats. This protects conversations.
- WhatsApp Plus completely lacks end-to-end encryption, leaving all chats and calls uncovered. They can be intercepted by hackers, agencies or even developers.
- The mod lacks WhatsApp’s sophisticated encryption framework, making conversations vulnerable.
Vulnerability to Attacks and Malware
- As an unofficial application, WhatsApp Plus does not go through the strict security checks and code reviews that authorized applications such as WhatsApp undergo.
- This makes WhatsApp Plus much more prone to exploits, hacks and malware attacks compared to WhatsApp.
- Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in unsigned mods to steal user data.
Not Compatible With Two-Factor Authentication
- WhatsApp offers an optional two-factor authentication layer to enhance account security.
- WhatsApp Plus completely lacks 2FA support, making accounts significantly less secure.
- Without two-factor authentication, anyone with the password can access the account.
Prohibitions and Suspension of Accounts
- Use of any unauthorized mod such as WhatsApp Plus violates the WhatsApp Terms of Service and may result in sudden permanent or temporary account lockouts without notice.
- You risk losing access to your chat history, media files and contacts when your account is suspended.
Sharing Personal Data With Contacts
- WhatsApp Plus may have fewer privacy controls over your data, such as profile picture, status or information visible to your contacts.
- More of your private data could be visible to contacts without explicit consent due to the lack of privacy settings.
Absence of Important Security Updates
- WhatsApp frequently releases security patches and fixes. But WhatsApp Plus does not receive security updates on time.
- Es mucho más lento a la hora de abordar vulnerabilidades y exploits, ya que no está mantenido oficialmente por WhatsApp.
Risk of Unwanted Permissions for Applications
- WhatsApp Plus may ask for certain intrusive permissions that could pose privacy risks such as accessing contacts, storage, location, etc.
- Users are prompted to grant these permissions during installation or when using certain features.
- Some requested permissions may not be relevant to the functionality of the application and could be used to collect user data.
In short, WhatsApp Plus has major security and privacy issues because it is not the official app. It does not protect your chats and data as WhatsApp does.
Your information can be hacked, monitored or misused when you use WhatsApp Plus. It can also lead to sudden loss of your account. For secure messaging, it is better to use only the real WhatsApp app.