newsweek.ro/tehnologie/o-aplicatie-whatsapp-falsa-

A fake WhatsApp app was downloaded over 500,000 times from Google Play, misleading users with its similar name and appearance. It was identified after a Reddit user noticed it appearing as a sponsored result above the official app. The counterfeit version was published by a developer unrelated to Meta and has since been removed from the store. Users can check if they have the fake app by verifying the developer's name and permissions granted. Installing such apps poses risks to personal data, although there is no evidence that all users were defrauded. This incident highlights the importance of verifying app authenticity in official stores.