The WhatsApp extension Snaptube was criticized for the first time at the end of last year. We explain what makes them so dangerous.
- WhatsApp: Danger from the SnapTube extension
- Millions of WhatsApp users probably affected
- The Upstream experts recommend deleting the WhatsApp extension
WhatsApp: SnapTube has caused this damage in the past
The WhatsApp extension SnapTube is suspected of having carried out over 70 million fraudulent transactions , according to the security department of the mobile technology company Upstream . The US company already reported this in October 2019.
Upstream estimates that between April and October 2019, 4.4 million users were affected. According to the company, users lost over $ 90 million during this period due to fraudulent transactions in the WhatsApp extension.
WhatsApp: SnapTube cheats with invisible advertising
By the Chinese company Mobius Pace developed WhatsApp extension SnapTube cheating by hidden advertisements. It places advertisements in the background that are not shown to the user.
This generates so-called non-human clicks. These are then sold by the app as real to their advertising partners. Thus, SnapTube not only defrauds its own users, but also their business partners.
WhatsApp: Users have to expect unwanted subscriptions
The WhatsApp extension concludes subscriptions to premium digital services without the knowledge of the user. The US company Upstream blocked over 70 million of such potentially fraudulent transactions in connection with these activities by October 2019.
Upstream researchers also observed, for example, that their test devices received SMS messages from subscriptions that they never ordered.
But even with WhatsApp Messenger itself, users should pay attention to their data security *.
WhatsApp: SnapTube scam no stranger
According to the experts from Upstream, SnapTube contains the same code that was also available with the Vidmate app. This code enables the WhatsApp extension to cause the damage.
Vidmate also cheated through mass advertising and unwanted subscriptions.
Even the subscriptions are similar for the two apps. The countries most affected by the fraud are Brazil, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and South Africa.
#WhatsApp CAUTION BEFORE DOWNLOADING YOUTUBE VIDEOS 1/3 pic.twitter.com/zYuwCuzBVy
- Meckerpapst04 (@ meckerpapst04) April 28, 2020WhatsApp: Google Play Protect also became aware of the app
The WhatsApp extension SnapTube is used by its users to send videos from YouTube directly in Messenger .
The app is currently only available for Android devices. However, it cannot be downloaded from the Google Play Store . However, it will be available on third-party app stores such as Aptoide and Uptodown.
WhatsApp: SnapTube wants to use Google politics as a protective shield
The WhatsApp extension SnapTube refers to the restrictive Google policy as the reason for this . With the same reason, the company tries to ward off the warnings from Google Play Protect , which were displayed to some users when the app was updated.
Against the background of the results of Upstream, these attempts to explain are at best a drop in the bucket.
WhatsApp: Popular feature has since been expanded
Many Internet services expand their offerings during the Corona crisis. Now WhatsApp * also extends one of its features. But the corona crisis has far more of an impact on the former leader of the download charts.
WhatsApp Messenger had to cede its place at the top to the competition during the crisis.
