Meta Platforms is facing a class-action lawsuit in the United States (US) alleging that the company misled billions of WhatsApp users by overstating the privacy protections offered by its messaging service.
The case, filed in federal court in San Francisco, accuses Meta of allowing employees, contractors and third parties to access private WhatsApp messages without users’ consent.
According to reports, Plaintiffs argue that this practice contradicts Meta’s repeated assurances that WhatsApp conversations are safeguarded by end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and recipient can read them.
The complaint, brought by individuals from countries including Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa, cites violations of privacy laws and claims that WhatsApp’s marketing misrepresented the level of security available to its more than two billion users worldwide.
READ ALSO: CBN Alerts Nigerians to AI-Generated Currency Hoax
Among the statutes referenced is the US Federal Wiretap Act, which prohibits unauthorised interception of electronic communications.
Meta, however, has denied the allegations with its spokesperson describing the lawsuit as “absurd” and “frivolous,” insisting that WhatsApp messages remain protected by end-to-end encryption powered by the Signal Protocol.
The company maintains that neither Meta nor any outside party can read user conversations.
Reports added that the case is still at an early stage, with the court yet to decide whether the claims will proceed.