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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has asked WhatsApp users in Nigeria to take precautionary steps while using the communication app following reports of alleged breach of users data.
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Head of NITDA’s Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Had’ iza Umar, said in a statement this week in Abuja that the agency has advised instant messaging platform users to be wary of unsolicited calls, voice notes and messages from unknown numbers.
But WhatsApp has denied the data breach. The instant messaging giant said the the claim was based on unsubstantiated screenshots.
According to an online report, data of nearly 500 million WhatsApp users from 84 countries had been leaked and put up for sale on a hacking community forum by an anonymous seller.
But experts conversant with dark webs and underground platforms have advised users to be more cautious while using the app.
Part of the statement by the NITDA reads: “Following the alleged leak of nearly 500 million WhatsApp users’ mobile phone numbers globally, and this includes over nine million contacts from Nigeria,” the NITDA advisory reads.
“There is an impending danger of threat actors using these data to carry out malicious activities, thereby putting many at risk.
“Such information could be used to perpetrate cyber attacks such as smishing and vishing.”
NITDA has advised Whatsapp users to be wary of unsolicited calls, voice notes and messages from unknown numbers; and to also to enable two-factor authentication on their apps.
