US probing claims WhatsApp chats aren’t private

February 1, 2026

TL;DR

US federal authorities are investigating Meta Platforms Inc. regarding allegations of staff access to WhatsApp message content.
Former Meta contractors alleged that they and Meta staff had 'unfettered access' to WhatsApp messages.
WhatsApp's website states that 'no one outside of the chat, not even WhatsApp, can read, listen to, or share' user messages.
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone denied the allegations, calling them impossible.
The investigation, internally named 'Operation Sourced Encryption,' was reportedly active as recently as January.
A class-action lawsuit against Meta makes similar allegations about accessing and analyzing WhatsApp communications.
Meta previously paid a $5 billion settlement over a data privacy scandal involving Cambridge Analytica.

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