WhatsApp fixes app flaw that showed private group invites on Google search

Jordan Wildon, a journalist from the German publication DW News, has discovered that Google was indexing approximately 470,000 WhatsApp group invites. These invites would allow anyone to enter a private chat group. WhatsApp has already fixed the flaw by removing the listings from Google as well as by adjusting the code related to chat invitation links. While most of the chats didn't have sensitive information, it was discovered that one of them was for NGOs accredited by the United Nations. Motherboard was able to enter the chat group and see all the 48 participants as well as their phone numbers.

According to WhatsApp, the links that showed up on Google search were those that were shared in searchable public channels. The Facebook-owned app wants to remind its users that they shouldn't share invitation links on publicly searchable sites. If you're going to keep your chat group private, make sure the participants won't share these invites in public spaces.

You can now reach Freedom Mobile on WhatsApp

Freedom Mobile now offers live messaging support using WhatsApp. The Shaw-owned regional carrier announced on Twitter, saying this method is a way to make "it even easier to get assistance." The tweet adds a link to Freedom's WhatsApp number, where its customers can reach them through the messaging app. 

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Facebook backs off from plans to fill WhatsApp with ads

Facebook is reportedly "backing away" from plans to sell ad placements inside WhatsApp. According to The Wall Street Journal, the team in charge of building ads into the Facebook-owned messaging service was disbanded in recent months, with the work they've done "deleted from WhatsApp's code."

But the app won't be completely ad-free. Facebook will still integrate it into WhatsApp's Status feature. Facebook will reportedly focus on WhatsApp features that will "allow businesses to communicate with customers and organize those contacts." WhatsApp co-founders Jan Koum and Brian Acton—both of whom have left the company—reportedly expressed concern about the impact a commercial messaging feature will have over the strength of its end-to-end encryption.

Source: The Verge

WhatsApp no longer supports Windows Phone

WhatsApp is culling some of the older operating systems it runs on. The latest one to get axed is Windows Phone. The messaging app no longer supports Microsoft's mobile platform. And older OSes like Android 2.3.7 and iOS 8 or older will not get support after February 1, 2020. Users will no longer be able to create new accounts or verify existing ones on these platforms. You will not be able to transfer your chat history from one platform to another, so you might need to export your chat history as an email attachment if you want access to them. But it would be best if you did so before the deadline.

Source: Engadget