Data theft on WhatsApp: Around half a billion WhatsApp contacts have been for sale in a hacker forum since mid-November 2022. According to media reports, this includes six million German phone numbers. We HERE .
The hacker provided the online trade magazine Cybernews with a small data set. All numbers could be reached via WhatsApp, according to Cybernews. The consumer law firm Dr. Stoll & Sauer offers WhatsApp users a free initial legal consultation via online check .
There is currently no way to check whether you have been affected by the WhatsApp data leak. If the check is possible, Dr. Stoll & Sauer's dismay. However, those who are among those affected have suffered so-called immaterial damage. WhatsApp should have protected the data better. This results in a claim for damages. Dr. Stoll & Sauer is one of the leading law firms in consumer protection. More information on the subject of data leaks, for example on Facebook, and data protection can be found on our website.
Data theft on WhatsApp: Quickly delete messages from unknown people
Companies, authorities and employers collect data from consumers, process it, use it for their own purposes and often earn money with it. However, personal data is sometimes handled carelessly, resulting in violations of data protection standards. The company Meta, for example, was sentenced at the Zwickau regional court to pay damages of 1,000 euros due to a data leak at the subsidiary Facebook.
The court made it clear: Facebook should have better protected the stolen data. The present case of the messaging service WhatsApp also shows how quickly highly sensitive customer data can suddenly be viewed and accessed by third parties. Here too, the company should have protected the data better. WhatsApp also belongs to the meta group like Facebook:
- A hacker has stolen around 500 million WhatsApp contacts from the messenger service.
How he obtained the data cannot currently be clarified. The hacker spoke to the online magazine Cybernews about his “own methods”. - The magazine “Cybernews” speculates about an automated search for possible contacts.
There could also be “scraping” behind this. “Scraping” involves collecting publicly available data on a large scale. However, WhatsApp's terms and conditions expressly prohibit this. - What can happen to those affected?
Currently there is “only” a threat of unsolicited contact. If consumers receive messages from unknown users, caution is advised. Especially if links are attached in the messages or money transfers are requested. If the sender of the message is unknown, it is best to block the number. - Criminals collect highly sensitive personal data through data leaks like those now with WhatsApp and in this way generate emails or SMS messages in order to install malware on computers or cell phones. Ultimately it's about grabbing money.
- Unfortunately, it is currently not possible to check whether WhatsApp users are affected.
It is quite possible that long-standing services such as haveibeenpwned.com will soon integrate the data sets and have them checked seriously. If this check is possible, the law firm Dr. Stoll & Sauer processes the process for their clients.
Conclusion : From the perspective of the law firm Dr. Stoll & Sauer shows how carelessly companies handle their customers' data. Ultimately, those affected suffered non-material damage as a result of the data leak. Those affected do not know what will happen to their data accessed by criminals. This is a clear violation of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). German courts are now awarding large amounts of compensation to those affected by data leaks and data protection violations.
Consumers' chances of receiving compensation have increased enormously. This applies to all facets of data protection - i.e. the Schufa matter, security gaps in companies such as those recently at Twitter, Otto, Kaufland, Facebook, WhatsApp, Revolut and general violations of data protection. The law firm therefore advises consumers to seek legal advice. In the free online check and free initial consultation, we show you options for minimizing the damage and claiming compensation.
Dr.
Stoll & Sauer is one of the leading consumer law firms. At the law firm Dr. Stoll & Sauer Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH is one of the leading law firms in consumer and investor protection law. With the expertise of 40 lawyers and specialist lawyers, the law firm is available to clients in all important legal areas in Lahr, Stuttgart, Kenzingen and Ettenheim. The law firm specializes, among other things, in banking and capital markets law as well as the emissions scandal. There are also the topics of labor, IT, insurance, travel and administrative law. The shareholders Dr. Ralf Stoll and Ralph Sauer led the model declaratory action against Volkswagen AG and negotiated an 830 million settlement for 260,000 consumers. The owners are currently pursuing a model declaratory action against Mercedes-Benz Group AG in a special company. In the JUVE handbook 2019/2020, the law firm is mentioned as having a market impact for its expertise in managing mass proceedings.
Press contact: Dr.
Stoll & Sauer Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH Einsteinallee 1/1 / 77933 Lahr
Telephone: 07821 / 92 37 68 – 0
Fax: 07821 / 92 37 68 – 889
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