GB WhatsApp is a mod of the popular instant messaging app WhatsApp, which third-party developers designed. It has additional features not present in the official WhatsApp app. It offers users with choices to change the user interface of the app, modify its features, and settings related to privacy. For instance, one can hide their “last seen,” change the theme, or even operate several WhatsApp accounts on a single device. By 2024, GB WhatsApp has amassed millions of downloads; in some regions, it’s believed that as much as 10-20% of WhatsApp users opt to use third-party modified versions because of added functionalities.
As varied as the features available through GB WhatsApp may be, there are also major associated risks. The application is unsupported by WhatsApp, meaning that if users use it, they will technically be in violation of the platform’s terms of service. According to the Indian government, in 2023, there are security risks from using modified applications like GB WhatsApp, which make users vulnerable to malware, breach of data, and theft of privacy. Indeed, several incidents occurred in which such unofficial versions of WhatsApp reported unauthorized access to personal information of its users, an indication of how risky it might be to use modified apps.
GB WhatsApp can send bigger files up to 100 MB in size, unlike the official WhatsApp app, where it allows sharing files only of up to 16 MB. Moreover, GB WhatsApp can share up to 90 images on one go, whereas an official WhatsApp allows a maximum share of 30 images. Despite these advantages, WhatsApp has issued warnings to, and even temporarily banned, accounts found using modified apps like GB WhatsApp, which causes users to risk losing access to their original WhatsApp account.
In 2023, WhatsApp implemented two-step verification and end-to-end encryption to make users’ data more private. However, GB WhatsApp does not have the same security protocols as the official version, which has raised many questions among experts, including cybersecurity professionals like Graham Cluley, who warn users of the possible dangers from relying on unofficial apps. He said, “Using a third-party app is like leaving your door unlocked—it’s a risk you shouldn’t take lightly.”