The Facebook group has been facing its own issues this year with multiple data breaches and functioning issues due to the server and other technical outages. Its child company, WhatsApp has experienced its own share of problems and continues to be the talk of the town of news that focuses on WhatsApp stalking and features in the messaging app that enables other third parties to develop certain trackers and apps that can threaten an individual’s privacy.
Before we jump into how WhatsApp is facing a never-ending and unstoppable cyberstalking problem, let’s look at what cyberstalking is and what makes WhatsApp stalking, the real deal.
What is Cyberstalking?
When someone is cyberstalked, they are being tracked, tracked, and spied on through the use of electronics (most often the internet these days). While it may appear to be a new occurrence, the word dates back to the 1990s. So WhatsApp stalkers use your online and last seen status on WhatsApp to track your activities via other kinds of technology. According to a 2009 research conducted in the United States, one out of every four stalking victims was also the victim of a cyberstalking attack. There is little doubt that cyberstalking is a weapon that stalkers use to keep tabs on their targets.
There are ways in which you can turn a VPN on IPhone and protect your personal data and location from being determined by your stalkers.
WhatsApp’s “Online” Feature & Potential Dangers
WhatsApp has a feature that allows people to see whether you are “online” or not. It shows your status as online even if you are not actively using the app. WhatsApp stalkers and third-party app developers can easily use this feature to develop trackers. We’ve seen certain apps on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store that allow you to see whether a spouse is lying or cheating or where your wife and children are based on this tracker.
This information is in the hands of the wrong individual can put you in deep danger of being located and stalked. Always use a VPN for your smartphone to keep yourself protected.
What is Google Doing To Stop WhatsApp Stalking?
On October 1st, 2020, Google began enforcing its ‘ban’ on Stalkerware. The new guidelines permit the sale of stalkerware. The user must be made aware of its presence by a persistent notification that is always displayed.
There was some misunderstanding that kid-targeted apps could get around this regulation, but Google has categorically rejected this. Android, on the other hand, offers the convenience of sideloading programs with the simple touch of a button. In addition, the vast majority of stalkerware can now be found outside of the Google Play Store, with many services just providing a download link for an APK.
As a result, Android users should be aware that stalkerware is still a real concern.
What is Apple’s Take on Stalkerware?
Apple does not permit such unrestricted access to GPS and other such features. The opposite is true with Android. iOS devices, on the other hand, do not permit sideloading out of the box.
As a result, using an iOS smartphone provides you with far greater security against stalkerware. This doesn’t mean you are totally safe from it. You still should use one of the best free VPN for Android out there like VeePN and protect your device from being accessed by hackers out there.
Being stalked on WhatsApp can mean the WhatsApp stalker knowing where you are going and what times you are using your phone and what times you are not. You don’t need that kind of information in dangerous hands at all. So do yourself a favor and use a good VPN for an iOS device and protect yourself and your data.
Some Tips and Tricks to Help You Protect Yourself From WhatsApp Stalkers:
Let’s look at some basic tips besides using a good VPN for smartphone to help you stay away from and protect you from potential stalkers on WhatsApp:
- Use security features that are enabled on your device, including not allowing all apps to access your personal information like your contacts and pictures, etc. This also includes enabling biometric verification and a pin or pattern. It may seem inconvenient, but you have to be paranoid about this and keep yourself safe.
- Secure all your accounts with a strong password and use a unique password for each app. Also, make sure two-factor authentication is on where applicable.
- Finally, if you think you are being stalked and threatened by a WhatsApp stalker or really being cyber stalked in general, you need to alert the local law enforcement agencies as soon as possible.
Conclusion:
It is safe to assume that the more popular an app or software is, the more vulnerable and uncontrollable it becomes. Look at Facebook Inc, they’ve created a giant that feeds so many advertisers with data that they can no longer completely control it anymore. WhatsApp is also a part of the same company that is looking at different ways to make money off of it. In a recent update that gave rise to an uproar and boycotts from local users, WhatsApp now shares some of your data with third-party advertisers as well. No wonder, WhatsApp stalking and cyberstalking, in general, is on the rise and these companies deliberately try to make user data available to companies and third parties so easily.
Your best bet is to use these apps wisely and install a good VPN for your iOS and Android devices.
