Former WhatsApp Security Boss Files Whistleblower Lawsuit, Alleges Meta's Culture is "Cult-Like"
In a shocking turn of events, the former head of security for WhatsApp, a messaging app owned by Meta, has filed a federal whistleblower lawsuit against the company. The suit, filed in US District Court for the District of Northern California on Monday, alleges that Meta's culture is "cult-like" and prioritizes profits over user safety.
According to the lawsuit, the former security chief, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims that Meta's leadership ignored serious risks to user data and prioritized growth over security. The suit recites a litany of alleged misdeeds, including ignoring vulnerabilities in WhatsApp's encryption, failing to disclose data breaches to users, and suppressing internal warnings about the app's security.
Meta has been touting the privacy of WhatsApp through a series of high-profile ads, featuring the former cast of Modern Family, which claims that "no one can see or hear your personal messages - not even us." However, the whistleblower lawsuit paints a very different picture. The suit alleges that Meta's leadership was aware of these risks and chose to ignore them in order to prioritize growth and profits.
The lawsuit is the latest blow to Meta's reputation, which has been under scrutiny for its handling of user data and security. In 2021, Facebook (now Meta) faced a massive fine from the European Union for violating data protection laws. The company has also been criticized for its role in spreading misinformation and hate speech on its platforms.
When asked about the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Meta declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the litigation. However, the company's leadership has previously stated that it prioritizes user safety and security above all else.
The whistleblower lawsuit is a stark contrast to the image of WhatsApp as a secure and private messaging app. The app has a monthly user base of 3 billion people, making it one of the most widely used messaging apps in the world. According to the lawsuit, Meta's leadership was aware of the risks to user data and chose to ignore them in order to prioritize growth and profits.
The case is set to go to trial in the coming months, with the whistleblower seeking damages for alleged misdeeds by Meta's leadership. The outcome of the lawsuit will likely have significant implications for Meta's reputation and its handling of user data and security.
Background
WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in 2014 for $19 billion. Since then, the app has grown to become one of the most widely used messaging apps in the world, with a monthly user base of 3 billion people. However, the app's security and privacy have been under scrutiny in recent years.
In 2020, WhatsApp faced a major data breach, which exposed the phone numbers of millions of users. The company was criticized for its handling of the breach, with many accusing it of prioritizing profits over user safety.
The whistleblower lawsuit is the latest development in a long-running saga of controversy and criticism surrounding Meta's handling of user data and security. As the case goes to trial, one thing is clear: the outcome will have significant implications for the company's reputation and its handling of user data and security.
Next Steps
The case is set to go to trial in the coming months, with the whistleblower seeking damages for alleged misdeeds by Meta's leadership. The outcome of the lawsuit will likely have significant implications for Meta's reputation and its handling of user data and security. As the case unfolds, one thing is clear: the public will be watching closely to see how Meta responds to these allegations.
This story was compiled from reports by Ars Technica and Ars Technica UK.
