Allegations that Meta can read WhatsApp users’ encrypted chats have prompted scrutiny from US regulators and cybersecurity experts.
The claims follow a lawsuit filed by law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, which asserts that Meta “can access virtually all” supposedly private WhatsApp messages. Meta has denied the allegations, calling them “categorically false and absurd”, and suggested the lawsuit may be tied to the interests of Israeli spyware firm NSO Group, previously sanctioned by WhatsApp.
The lawsuit references whistleblowers from Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, and South Africa. Meta spokesperson, Carl Woog stated the company is seeking sanctions against Quinn Emanuel for filing a “meritless” lawsuit aimed at generating headlines.
Cybersecurity experts remain skeptical. A professor at University College London, Steven Murdoch, said it would be nearly impossible for WhatsApp to secretly read messages without internal leaks.
A U.S. Department of Commerce spokesperson described reports of an official investigation as “unsubstantiated”.
Meta maintains that WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption messages are only readable by senders and recipients. reaffirming that user privacy remains secure.
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