WhatsApp's New Feature Raises Security Concerns, Says Jidaw CEO, Mr Jide Awe

WhatsApp, a very popular social media App has recently updated with a new feature allowing users to log in to four different devices has raised a number of security concerns. Consequently, The CEO of Jidaw Systems Ltd., Mr Jide Awe, says the new feature in WhatsApp can make users vulnerable to hacking or phishing attacks by cybercriminals. 

THE INTERVIEW 

Awe told NAN in an interview in Lagos on Saturday that having multiple devices linked to a single account gave hackers more opportunities to access personal data or take over the account

On users’ opinions, Awe mentioned that individual preferences would definitely come into play, noting that it might be convenient for some to use it on different devices while others could stick to using WhatsApp on one device. He said that Mark Zuckerberg’s aimed to attempt to make WhatsApp more user-friendly and convenient with a view to attracting more users to the platform. 

When Mr Awe Spoke on its advantages, he said the new feature would increase flexibility and convenience by providing users with more ways to access their WhatsApp accounts. 

“The ability to use up to four different devices simultaneously makes it easier for users to stay connected with their contacts.”

“This feature will enable users to manage their devices and log out of them remotely. This can give them greater control over their accounts,“ he said. 

The Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had recently warned that the Meta-owned instant messaging platform, WhatsApp, was increasingly becoming a prime target for hackers and scammers who are always looking for ways to gain unauthorized access to users’ accounts. 

The NCC-CSIRT in an advisory issued early April advised users in Nigeria to be security conscious while using the service, while recommending that every WhatsApp user should set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to avoid falling victim to account takeover by hackers. 

This warning by Mr Jide Awe should not be discarded as it could act as a form of sensitizing WhatsApp users about how the protection of their privacy is important and they should take necessary steps in that direction.