WHATSAPP says it alerted about 200 users who were tricked into installing a bogus iOS version of WhatsApp that was infected with spyware. According to La Repubblica and ANSA, the vast majority of the targets are located in Italy, and the attackers used social engineering to persuade users to install the malicious app. All affected users have been logged out and advised to uninstall the spyware-laced apps and download the official WhatsApp app.
WhatsApp said it is taking action against Asigint, an Italian subsidiary of spyware company SIO, for allegedly creating a counterfeit version of WhatsApp. In December 2025, TechCrunch reported that SIO was behind a set of malicious Android apps masquerading as WhatsApp and other popular apps, used to steal data from targeted devices. The development follows previous WhatsApp alerts about spyware campaigns and underscores ongoing risks from counterfeit apps designed to resemble legitimate messaging software.