Insights Security & Privacy
Fake WhatsApp found on Google Play: check who published yours
The short version
A fake WhatsApp Messenger listing on Google Play has passed 500,000 downloads. It reportedly appeared as a sponsored result above the real app. The quickest check is to see who published the app on your phone.
What happened
The copy was reportedly put on Google Play in September. It uses WhatsApp's name, icon, screenshots and description text. A Reddit user spotted it in a slot marked "sponsored", above the real app. Its listing was still live when the news was reported, and Google had not yet commented.
The real app is published by WhatsApp LLC. The copy comes from a developer called "Agment Assets sallu", which has no other apps listed. The copy's listing also says the app is still in development and collects no data.
The fake may be using Google's Early Access programme to switch off public reviews, which could make it harder for users to warn others. One report noted it did not show up in the top results when its writer searched for the app.
Why it matters to you
The real WhatsApp has over 10 billion downloads and hundreds of millions of reviews, so a copy with the same icon is easy to mistake for it. A result marked Sponsored at the top of the page can look trustworthy.
The reports do not say what the fake app does, so the risk is unknown.
What to do
Open WhatsApp Messenger in the Play Store on your phone and check that the developer is WhatsApp LLC. If it shows anything else, uninstall the app straight away.
When installing or reinstalling, be wary of results marked Sponsored. Check the developer name before you tap Install, and share this with staff or family who use WhatsApp on Android.
Sources
- A fake WhatsApp clone is showing up before the real version on the Play Store The Verge (opens in a new tab)
- Downloaded WhatsApp Messenger from Google Play Store recently? Here is why you should be worried Digit (opens in a new tab)
- A Copycat WhatsApp Listing on Google Play Has Passed 500K Downloads AndroidPure (opens in a new tab)
Researched and written by our automated news system.
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