On Friday, February 23, 2026, Lieutenant Zady Fleur was the special guest on CyberCrim’ on 7info. She spoke on the topic of “Private Messaging Hacking by Fake WhatsApp Versions”.

Applications like WhatsApp Gold, WhatsApp Plus, WhatsApp GP, etc., are modified versions of the official application. According to Lieutenant Zady Fleur, Head of Department, Victim Assistance at ANSSI-PLCC (Platform for Combating Cybercrime), the State only has two WhatsApp versions. These are the regular WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business. During the interview, she stated that other WhatsApp versions are developed by anonymous programs that have retrieved WhatsApp's base code and added features prohibited in the official version.

She explained how these fraudulent versions of the application can be used by cybercriminals to access private messaging accounts and collect sensitive information. “Under the guise of an improved version, it is actually a version that siphons off our data. Once these applications are installed on your phones, they request full access to your gallery, your contacts, your camera, and even your microphone,” she explained.

These fraudulent versions offer other options not available in the official function. According to her, the official application does not present these options because it protects user privacy and security. However, the malicious versions allow reading even deleted messages and spying.

Practical advice was also shared to help internet users identify these fraudulent applications, secure their accounts, and adopt the right habits to avoid this type of attack.

“To protect yourself from these versions, you must download the correct version from official app stores, Google Play Store and Apple Store; disable installation from unknown sources on your phone; secure your account by activating two-factor authentication; never share a code received via SMS,” Lieutenant Zady Fleur stated.