The safety of the use of GB WhatsApp has always been a point of concern, since it is unofficial, carrying more features than the official version. Unlike the official WhatsApp, which undergoes strict security protocols and data encryption, GB WhatsApp does not have these assurances, thus raising concerns among privacy experts. Indeed, in a survey conducted by Cybersecurity Ventures in 2023, 30% of users admitted using modded applications despite the security risks due to the need for more customization and features.
A bigger concern is data privacy. Unlike the official WhatsApp, GB WhatsApp does not link directly to WhatsApp Inc. for direct affiliation and support. That means user data may not enjoy protection under the same encryption standards. This means unofficial developers behind the application may have access to user data, which can then turn vulnerable against possible third-party interception or data leakage. According to a 2022 report by Forbes, several modified applications had become breeding grounds for increased data risks, usually downloaded from other sources than the official ones, which include GB WhatsApp.
What is worse, the WhatsApp terms of service make it extremely clear that third-party apps will lead to accounts being terminated or suspended. In fact, it was due to this policy, brought in last year in 2021, that roughly 2 million accounts using modified applications were temporarily banned by WhatsApp. “The use of unofficial variants of popular applications often brings along unknown risks,” said Rachel Gomez, a cybersecurity analyst. She warned users of the modified app against being vigilant and only downloading, if necessary, from verified sources.
More significantly, there is also a malware risk since GB WhatsApp needs to be downloaded as an APK from third-party sites. As the Indian Times reported in the beginning of 2023, there was a cybersecurity breach in which it was shown that compromised APKs are in circulation with hidden malware that allows attackers unauthorized access to users’ data. The interested user has to make sure that, in downloading GB WhatsApp, he gets it from a reputable source to minimize such risks.
Although gb whatsapp offers a number of seemingly attractive features like extended privacy settings, custom themes, and the ability to use multiple accounts, there is a price one has to pay for these enhancements. Cybersecurity experts often advise users to weigh if these additional features are worth the possible privacy and security trade-offs.