WhatsApp, a Facebook-owned chat app, has issued a warning to users who download clone applications, threatening to permanently block them if they continue to use the app.
According to a claim in ‘The Mirror,’ the firm issued this warning as a clone software known as ‘GB WhatsApp’ grows in popularity.
The clone app, however, has additional capabilities not present on the official WhatsApp, and the company has warned that if users do not switch to their official account, they risk being suspended or banned from using the software.
In this post, we have highlights the features, dangers, and other things you need to know about the app.
What exactly is GB WhatsApp?
GB WhatsApp is an application that bears the semblance of the Facebook-owned WhatsApp but contains extra features that are not found in the original app.
GB WhatsApp, WhatsApp Plus alongside other clone versions of WhatsApp, claims to offer more privacy options and other benefits than the main app.
Features of GB WhatsApp
- Ability to read receipts of specific contacts
- It allows you to hide blue tick, double tick, and online status.
- GBWhatsApp supports multiple languages.
- If you have some private chats with any person, you can lock those particular chats with a password.
- You can set the WhatsApp theme according to your choice and even share it with the developer of GBWhatsapp to add it to the list of their themes.
- Ability to view stories after 24 hours
- You can also put unlimited WhatsApp stories.
- Extension of broadcast list from the actual 250 to 600 users
- GBWhatsApp also allows you to share videos up to 16GB.
- Ability to view deleted messages
- Ability to auto-reply individual messages
Note that these features may differ depending on the version of GB WhatsApp that is downloaded.
How to download GB WhatsApp
As an unofficial app, GB WhatsApp is not available for download on Google Playstore or any approved Android app stores.
Users download this app from unsolicited platforms and APK download websites which may not be safe to use.
Dangers Of Using GB WhatsApp & Other Modified Versions
Whilst the extra features are cool, there are other risks that come with these GB WhatsApp that you might need to know:
- The messages you may share are not safe. Yes, guys, there is no guarantee that no third person will read your message. There are chances that the personal messages which you are sharing with your loved ones are not passing through third-party servers.
- GB WhatsApp is more inclined to injecting virus-like Malware and Spyware because of the less secured hosted servers. These viruses can cause damage to your data, and only you will be responsible for any problem caused due to GB WhatsApp, WhatsApp Plus, and other mods.
- WhatsApp mods like GB WhatsApp are unofficial. So, they are not available on the Google Play Store. It means that they are available on the web instead of the Google Play Store. So, you can face harmful ads which makes it difficult to update your app. And Some of the downloading websites may contain viruses that would affect the mobile device and put your smartphone at a greater risk.
Warning Message from Official WhatsApp
The company warned that such clone apps also violate security practices. It said, “Unsupported apps, such as WhatsApp Plus, GB WhatsApp, or apps that claim to move your WhatsApp chats between phones, are altered versions of WhatsApp”.
It added that “These unofficial apps are developed by third parties and violate our Terms of Service. WhatsApp doesn’t support these third-party apps because we can’t validate their security practices”.
WhatsApp added that if users fail to switch to their official WhatsApp account, they may be suspended or blocked from using the app.
2 thoughts on “WhatsApp vows to block users of clone app, ‘GB WhatsApp’ – Here are things you should know”
Let them upgrade their version to accommodate multiple accounts, just like in Telegram. Also, they should inject cool features into their design.
Mr. Bashir, you are absolutely correct. That will be the most effective way to prevent individuals from downloading unapproved versions. There will be no incentive to install an unofficial version if you are aware that the official version contains all of the necessary features. WhatsApp Inc. should take note of that.