WhatsApp is one of the stalkers’ favorite tools for monitoring victims. Messenger always shows when you are online and when you type a message – and WhatsApp doesn’t want to change that either. We explain how WhatsApp intentionally supports stalkers.
WhatsApp: Stalkers Can Query Online Status In Seconds
With over two billion users, WhatsApp is by far the largest messenger globally. And new users are added every day. But WhatsApp is not only ideal for communicating with friends and family. Messenger is also extremely popular with stalkers.
The reason for this is simple. WhatsApp stalkers can monitor their victims day and night using numerous online tools and apps – and it’s completely uncomplicated. This is the result of a study by the security experts at Traced.
WhatsApp Shows When You Are Online And When You Write A Message
All the stalkers need is the victim’s phone number. This is entered in the corresponding tools, showing the stalker your status.
The corresponding applications are not aimed directly at criminals. For example, in the app stores, they turn to concerned parents who want to monitor their children’s activities. But the abuse is (willfully) accepted by most publishers.
The relevant services receive access to the information via the official WhatsApp interface.
The automatic retrieval of the information constitutes a violation of WhatsApp’s terms of use. WhatsApp does not seem to take action against the corresponding services in bulk. Further tests also show this.
WhatsApp Allows Stalking In The Privacy Settings
The opposite is more the case. The official FAQ on the privacy settings states:
There is no way to hide “writes” or “online.”
Or, to put it another way: Under no circumstances can you hide the fact that you are currently active in WhatsApp. Neither can you prevent strangers from seeing that you are presently writing a message via the relevant interfaces?
All WhatsApp security settings that you use to hide or disguise your status are nothing more than camouflage for public perception. The messenger does not offer any real protection.
More Transparency And More Security For Users
If WhatsApp no longer wants to be a stalker’s paradise, it must finally offer its users the opportunity to disguise their online status completely. Such a step would create trust and improve the already tarnished image.
At the same time, it is essential that WhatsApp not only blocks corresponding apps and developers after receiving information. The messenger must finally act proactively against abuse and end psychological violence and surveillance.
Messenger always shows when you are online and when you type a message – and WhatsApp doesn’t want to change that either. And new users are added every day. But WhatsApp is not only ideal for communicating with friends and family. Messenger is also extremely popular with stalkers. This is the result of a study by the security experts at Traced. The corresponding applications are not aimed directly at criminals. For example, in the app stores, they turn to concerned parents who want to monitor their children’s activities.
All WhatsApp security settings that you use to hide or disguise your status are nothing more than camouflage for public perception. The messenger does not offer any real protection.
Also Read: Correctly Interact With Customers Via WhatsApp Business
