tech
January 31, 2026
US authorities reportedly investigate claims that Meta can read encrypted WhatsApp messages
A lawsuit filed last week alleges tech firm ‘can access virtually all’ private communications, a claim the company has denied
TL;DR
- US authorities are reportedly investigating claims that Meta can read users' encrypted WhatsApp chats.
- A lawsuit filed by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan alleges Meta has access to users' private communications.
- Meta has denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit's claims "categorically false and absurd."
- Meta suggests the lawsuit is a tactic by the NSO Group, which it previously sued and which Quinn Emanuel is representing in an appeal.
- The firm representing WhatsApp users claims the denials are carefully worded to avoid denying Meta's ability to read messages.
- Experts express skepticism about the claims, noting it would be difficult to keep such a secret within the company and would likely have leaked.
- A spokesperson for the US Department of Commerce called the assertions of investigation "unsubstantiated."
- WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption means messages should only be readable by sender and recipient.
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