WhatsApp Video Call Flaw Lets Anyone Bypass Your Android Lock Screen and View Your Photos
Brief
A newly disclosed WhatsApp flaw on Android is raising fresh privacy alarms, allowing anyone holding a locked phone to browse through its entire photo gallery simply by answering an incoming video call.
The issue was uncovered by security researcher Jose Rodriguez, known for a string of past lock screen bypass discoveries on both Android and iOS, and has already been reported to Meta and Google.
As of now, no patch has been released, leaving the flaw actively exploitable in the wild. The attack requires physical access to the target device but demands no hacking skill or special tools. When a locked Android phone receives a WhatsApp video call, the person holding it can simply swipe to answer.
Once the call connects, tapping the effects icon opens a menu with tabs for effects, filters, and backgrounds.