New Warning For WhatsApp Users Over Account Suspension ‘Hack’

Using just your phone number, a remote attacker can easily deactivate WhatsApp on your phone and then stop you getting back in. Even two-factor authentication will not stop this. Here’s how the attack works.

Despite its vast user base, WhatsApp is creaking at the seams. Its architecture has fallen behind its rivals, missing key features such as multi-device access and fully encrypted backups.

Clearly, the combination of this verification architecture, the SMS/code limits and the automated, keyword-based actions triggered by incoming emails is open to abuse.