Is WhatsApp becoming a weapon of war?

Tensions between Israel and Iran are spilling into the digital space, and WhatsApp has been pulled into the middle of it. On June 17, 2025, Iranian state television told citizens to delete WhatsApp, claiming, without offering any solid proof, that the Meta-owned messaging app was helping Israel locate Iranian military officials by tracking users’ “last known locations.”

According to Iran, the data shared by WhatsApp led to deadly Israeli airstrikes that killed high-ranking officials, eleven Iranian generals, and nuclear scientists. WhatsApp pushed back, reiterating that it uses end-to-end encryption and doesn’t collect precise locations or hand over user data in bulk to governments. But the company’s statement, while quick, wasn’t exactly airtight, and now it’s facing renewed scrutiny over how secure the app really is in wartime.

According to a report from the Times of Israel, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB urged citizens on Tuesday to delete WhatsApp, claiming the app was collecting users’ personal data, including “last known locations and communications” and handing it over to Israel.

Iran’s Claims: Scapegoating or Something More?

The accusations came days after targeted Israeli strikes hit sensitive Iranian sites, including Natanz. Among the casualties were key military figures like Hossein Salami and Ali Shadmani. Iran’s state media pointed the finger at WhatsApp and Instagram, claiming they were funneling user data—including identities and geolocation—to Israel.

Iran didn’t provide technical proof. No forensic evidence. No intercepted logs. Nothing that would stand up to serious scrutiny. But that didn’t stop the government from launching a full-on crackdown, restricting foreign apps and promoting domestic alternatives like Beep, just as the country entered an internet blackout.

Many see this as a repeat of 2022, when Iran banned WhatsApp during the Mahsa Amini protests to control dissent. On social media, opinions are split. Some users argue this is a smokescreen to cover Iran’s own military failures. Others believe WhatsApp is being used as an espionage tool, intentionally or not. Either way, the fears about digital surveillance aren’t made up, especially during war.

WhatsApp’s Response: Clear or Convenient?

WhatsApp told news outlets, including The Times of Israel and CBS News, calling the claims false and warning that Iran might be using them as an excuse to block the app during a critical time. The company highlighted its use of end-to-end encryption, which means messages are locked in a digital envelope that only the sender and receiver can open.

In a statement, a spokesperson for WhatsApp said it was “concerned these false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked at a time when people need them the most.”

“We do not track your precise location, we don’t keep logs of who everyone is messaging and we do not track the personal messages people are sending one another,” the spokerson added. “We do not provide bulk information to any government.”

WhatsApp: Israel’s secret weapon or Iran’s digital scapegoat?

But there was a catch. WhatsApp didn’t specifically address the “last known location” accusation. And while the company insists it doesn’t store message logs or track exact locations, it does collect metadata—data about the data. That includes timestamps, phone numbers, IP addresses, and who messaged whom.

And metadata, while less detailed than message content, can still be useful for pattern analysis. It can reveal behaviors, social networks, and approximate movements. According to cybersecurity expert Gregory Falco, metadata is often more than enough for intelligence operations.

Add to that WhatsApp’s history of being exploited. A few years ago, we covered how the Israeli startup NSO Group used a vulnerability in the app to deploy Pegasus spyware, targeting over 1,400 users. In January 2025, Meta accused another Israeli firm, Paragon Solutions, of using a “zero-click” exploit to hijack accounts—no user interaction required. Those incidents don’t prove WhatsApp is complicit, but they do show how even secure systems can be weaponized by advanced actors.

NSO Group was founded in 2009 by Omri Lavie and Shalev Hulio, alumni of the elite IDF intelligence unit 8200. Hulio was formerly a company commander with the Israel Defense Forces, according to his LinkedIn profile. Lavie was an employee of the Israeli government.

WhatsApp’s Double-Edged Design

With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is more than a chat app—it’s a lifeline. It’s especially critical in countries with unreliable internet and strict government controls. The app’s simple, phone-number-based system and ability to work on low bandwidth make it a go-to tool for everything from casual texting to organizing protests.

Its strongest feature is end-to-end encryption, powered by the Signal Protocol, widely considered one of the most secure messaging frameworks out there. Not even WhatsApp itself can read your messages. But that doesn’t mean it’s bulletproof.

Because the app is tied to phone numbers, it exposes users’ real-world identities and social connections. And metadata—while encrypted messages remain private—can still be exploited. Combined with IP addresses or other data points, it can offer a rough sketch of who’s talking to whom, and when.

Politically, WhatsApp has been under fire before. In countries like India and Brazil, it’s been blamed for helping spread misinformation. A 2024 report by Truthout claimed Israeli AI systems used WhatsApp metadata to help target Palestinians in Gaza. Iranian officials argue that Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has shown pro-Israel bias across its platforms. With WhatsApp’s infrastructure hosted outside Iran, the government fears foreign jurisdictions could gain access under legal pressure.

That said, none of these claims confirms that Meta is actively working with any government. Still, if a device is hacked or compromised, encryption doesn’t help. Once a phone is in the hands of a state actor or infected with spyware, the app’s protections don’t matter.

Could WhatsApp Have Helped Israel’s Strikes?

The short answer: maybe, but not necessarily through direct cooperation.

It’s technically possible that Israel used WhatsApp metadata—combined with other intelligence sources like device hacks or informants—to track high-value targets. And Israel has a track record of pulling off this kind of operation, thanks to its advanced cyber units.

But so far, there’s no public evidence of WhatsApp handing anything over. Without proof of a breach or secret agreement, Iran’s case doesn’t hold. More likely, WhatsApp is being used as a convenient scapegoat to justify internal crackdowns and distract from Iran’s vulnerability to cyber surveillance.

Bigger Picture: Digital Privacy in Wartime

This isn’t just about WhatsApp. It’s about what happens when civilian apps become part of military conflicts. Tools built for communication can easily be turned into surveillance weapons—or framed as such—for political purposes.

Iran’s crackdown serves two goals: shift blame and tighten control. But the backlash could be significant. In a country where people already struggle with censorship, losing access to WhatsApp cuts off a vital line to the outside world.

At the same time, Meta faces a different challenge: defending the credibility of its messaging platform. For users in high-risk regions, trust matters. And while WhatsApp’s encryption is strong, trust doesn’t rely on technical security alone—it depends on the perception that their conversations won’t be weaponized.

WhatsApp in the Crosshairs

In the Israel-Iran digital standoff, WhatsApp has become a symbol of both freedom and risk. For dissidents and activists, it’s a lifeline. For governments, it’s a threat—or an opportunity, depending on the agenda.

As long as these geopolitical tensions continue, WhatsApp and similar platforms will keep landing in the middle. And the question isn’t whether the app is “safe”—it’s whether any platform can stay truly neutral in a world where data is ammunition.

What Is End-to-End Encryption?

End-to-end encryption is like a private conversation in a sealed room—no one can eavesdrop, not even the people who built the room. Messages are scrambled on your phone, travel through the internet in that unreadable form, and only unscramble when they reach the person you’re talking to. Not even WhatsApp can see what’s inside. The system WhatsApp uses, called the Signal Protocol, is considered the gold standard in messaging security.

Disclaimer: This article uses publicly available information. Neither Iran’s allegations nor WhatsApp’s involvement in any intelligence operations have been independently verified.