A former WhatsApp security chief is suing Meta, alleging the company ignored flaws that compromised encryption and user privacy, claims Meta has denied.
A former WhatsApp security executive has filed a federal lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., alleging the company ignored critical vulnerabilities that weakened WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption and exposed users to potential surveillance. The suit, lodged on Monday, claims Meta dismissed internal warnings raised since 2020 to prioritize growth and cross-platform integration with Facebook and Instagram.
According to court filings, employees allegedly had broad access to user metadata and in some cases could bypass encryption, raising questions about compliance with global privacy laws, including Europe’s GDPR. The whistleblower, who joined WhatsApp before its 2014 acquisition, said the flaws could be exploited by insiders or nation-state actors.
Meta has strongly denied the claims, calling them “baseless” and stressing that WhatsApp remains one of the most secure messaging apps, backed by billions in cybersecurity investments. Analysts say the case could invite regulatory scrutiny and undermine user trust in encrypted communication. Meta’s stock dipped slightly after the lawsuit became public.