WhatsApp is urging people to update to the latest version of the app after a spyware attack was discovered.
A 'select number' of users were targeted via the messaging app's call function.
The spying software could be installed even if the user didn't answer the phone.
The issue's now been fixed.
However, researchers suggest it was used as recently as the weekend to target a human rights lawyer:
WhatsApp has just pushed out updates to close a vulnerability. We believe an attacker tried (and was blocked by WhatsApp) to exploit it as recently as yesterday to target a human rights lawyer. Now is a great time to update your WhatsApp software https://t.co/pJvjFMy2aw https://t.co/e8VQUraZWQ
— Citizen Lab (@citizenlab) May 13, 2019
According to the Financial Times, the vulnerability in question was developed by Israeli cyber intelligence firm NSO Group.
It's not yet clear, however, who was responsible for the attack.
NSO Group said it was investigating - insisting that it would never be involved "in the operating or identifying of targets of its technology".
Meanwhile, a WhatsApp spokesperson said: “WhatsApp encourages people to upgrade to the latest version of our app, as well as keep their mobile operating system up to date, to protect against potential targeted exploits designed to compromise information stored on mobile devices.
"We are constantly working alongside industry partners to provide the latest security enhancements to help protect our users.”
