Ammon News - WhatsApp says it has notified around 200 users who were tricked into installing a malicious fake version of the chat app that contained spyware.

WhatsApp accused Italian spyware maker SIO of creating a fake version of its messaging app for iPhones, according to an announcement the company shared with TechCrunch.

“Our security team proactively identified around 200 users primarily in Italy who we believe may have downloaded this malicious unofficial client,” WhatsApp said in its statement. “We have logged them out, alerted [them] to the risks to their privacy and security that come with downloading fake unofficial clients, and encouraged them to remove it and download the official WhatsApp app.”

WhatsApp spokesperson Margarita Franklin told TechCrunch that, at this point, the company cannot share more information about the users it notified, such as whether they were journalists or members of civil society.

“Our priority has been protecting the users who may have been tricked into downloading this fake iOS app,” said Franklin.

In its announcement, WhatsApp also said it plans to “send a formal legal demand to stop any such malicious activity to this spyware firm.”