Meta can access all WhatsApp chats, lawsuit claims; Company replies
A lawsuit alleges Meta can access WhatsApp chats despite claiming end-to-end encryption, which Meta denies, calling the suit 'frivolous'.Summary
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Meta-owned WhatsApp, alleging the company deceives billions of users by maintaining access to supposedly “end-to-end encrypted” communications. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for Northern California, claims WhatsApp stores, analyzes, and can access user messages, contradicting its privacy claims. Plaintiffs represent users from India, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and South Africa, alleging Meta can decrypt and review messages for data analysis and internal monitoring.
Meta has dismissed the lawsuit as “frivolous” and “absurd,” with spokesperson Andy Stone stating that claims of lacking encryption are “categorically false.” Stone affirmed WhatsApp has used the Signal protocol for end-to-end encryption for a decade and indicated Meta will seek legal sanctions against the plaintiffs’ counsel.
If the court certifies the class-action status, Meta could face significant liability due to WhatsApp’s extensive user base of over 2 billion people. The case centers on whether WhatsApp’s encryption truly protects user privacy as advertised.
(Source：Times of India)