WhatsApp has notified approximately 200 users, primarily in Italy, who were targeted by a fraudulent iOS application containing spyware. In response, the platform logged out affected accounts and initiated legal action against Asigint, an Italian firm accused of developing the counterfeit software.
WhatsApp recently alerted around 200 individuals after they were manipulated into installing a malicious version of the app on their iPhones. This fraudulent software, which mimicked the official interface, was designed to infect devices with spyware and primarily targeted users within Italy. The messaging platform responded by terminating the sessions of those affected and advising them to replace the counterfeit app with the legitimate version.
The tech giant is now pursuing action against Asigint, a subsidiary of the Italian spyware company SIO, for its alleged role in creating the deceptive application. SIO has a history of developing surveillance tools for government and law enforcement agencies, including a previous campaign involving Android apps that utilized a data-stealing spyware family known as Spyrtacus. These activities have contributed to Italy's reputation as a significant center for the production and distribution of surveillance technology.
This incident follows a series of similar attacks where WhatsApp identified users being targeted by sophisticated surveillance tools like Graphite or zero-day exploits. The broader landscape of European surveillance remains tense, as evidenced by the recent prison sentences handed down to the founders of the Intellexa Consortium in Greece. That case centered on the use of Predator spyware against high-profile figures, an event that sparked international inquiries into government accountability and human rights.
The legal and political fallout from these technologies continues to evolve across the continent. While Greek courts recently cleared government officials of wrongdoing despite ongoing criticism from human rights organizations, other nations face similar hurdles. In Spain, a high-level investigation into the use of Pegasus spyware against government officials was recently closed due to a lack of international cooperation, highlighting the difficulty of regulating these powerful tools.
Surveillance firms continue to defend their business models by claiming their products are essential for national security and combating serious crime. Executives from companies like NSO Group argue that their tools make the world safer when utilized by responsible government entities. However, the recurring discovery of these tools being used against civilians and political figures maintains a constant pressure on tech platforms like WhatsApp to defend their users from digital espionage.
Source: https://www.nsogroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025-Transparency-and-Responsibility-Report.pdf