WhatsApp Exposes Italian Surveillance Campaign Targeting Users with SpywareWhatsApp Uncovers Sophisticated Spyware Attack in ItalyBy Raphael SatterDetails of the Surveillance CampaignWASHINGTON, April 1 (Reuters) - Messaging service WhatsApp said an Italian surveillance company tricked some 200 users into downloading a bogus version of its popular app that was rigged to spy on its victims. Targeting Methods and Victim ProfileWhatsApp said the campaign was "highly targeted" and relied on deception to get victims to install "malicious software that impersonated WhatsApp." It did not identify the victims beyond saying they were "primarily" in Italy. Italy's interior ministry referred questions to police, who did not immediately return a message. (Reporting by Raphael Satter, Additional reporting by Alvise Armellini in Rome, Editing by Chris Reese)

Source: The Guardian April 02, 2026 08:45 UTC