Using Device Linking to Eavesdrop on WhatsApp and Signal

Reported by Schneier on Security (Bruce Schneier)

Summary by Cyber Security News29 Sep 2026, 13:02 CET

About this summary. This is a short excerpt from the description that Schneier on Security published with its article. Cyber Security News did not report or verify the underlying story. Read the original: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2026/09/using-device-linking-to-eavesdrop-on-whatsapp-and-signal.html

Modern messaging apps allow users to link their phone accounts to their computer desktop. Eavesdroppers are taking advantage of this capability: Apps such as WhatsApp Web and Signal Desktop allow people to use their accounts on other devices, such as laptops or desktop computers. Germany’s Customs Office has been using these features to connect a police-controlled computer to a suspect’s account.

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