WhatsApp Bug Lets Users Bypass New Privacy Controls

WhatsApp Bug Lets Users Bypass New Privacy Controls

A security bug is permitting users to bypass new privacy controls introduced by Facebook-owned electronic messaging service WhatsApp on iPhones this month, the service aforesaid on Wednesday once users announce regarding the problem on social media.

The revelation comes as electronic messaging and other applications race to boost security and privacy and as Facebook INC is addressing criticism for not safeguarding privacy.

WhatsApp’s new privacy feature allows iPhone users to require Touch ID or Face ID — fingerprint or facial recognition — to open the app but users were able to bypass those log-in methods by using the iPhone’s “share” function to send files over WhatsApp.

Users can set verification to be needed straightaway upon log-in, meaning they would need to supply Touch ID or Face ID each time they open WhatsApp, or at intervals of up to an hour, permitting them to toggle between apps on the iPhone for that time period.

The security system fails when users select any interval option other than “immediately.”