ANDROID owners should be wary of social media apps that could see their WhatsApp, Instagram or Twitter accounts banned.
There’s an array of apps available on the Google Play store, but Android owners should be selective with what they download.
1
GBWhatsApp
GBWhatsApp is an altered version of WhatsApp that has been created by third-party developers.
It is not available directly on the Google Play store, and instead needs to be sideloaded onto an Android device – which cybersecurity experts typically advise against.
GBWhatsApp works like WhatsApp, but has a number of customised features.
It might seem appealing, but having the app could actually see you banned from WhatsApp.
“If you received an in-app message stating your account is ‘Temporarily banned’ this means that you’re likely using an unsupported version of WhatsApp instead of the official WhatsApp app,” the social media messenger wrote in a now delete blog post.
WhatsApp warned users that if they fail to switch to the official app after being temporarily banned, their account might be “permanently banned”.
GB WhatsApp, and others similar, such as WhatsApp Plus, violate the Meta-owned messaging apps Terms of Service.
The official WhatsApp has since introduced some of the features that people once used GBWhatsApp for, such as the ability to transfer from phone to phone.
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So, the app has been rendered mostly useless anyway.
Third party Instagram apps
Variations of apps such as these may also see you banned from Instagram:
- Get Followers Likes
- Real Followers & Likes via Tag
- Followers for instagram likes+
Instagram has urged users to not use apps like these, because they often offer likes or followers in exchange for your Instagram login details.
“None of these services are affiliated with or endorsed by Instagram, and you shouldn’t use these apps or let anyone else access your Instagram account,” Instagram said in its Terms of Service.
Unsurprisingly, if you give these apps your login information – be it through an access token or your username and password – they can gain complete access to your account.
This puts not only risks your security, but the security of friends, family and others on the platform.
“If it looks like you’ve shared your login details with one of these apps, we may remove any likes or other engagement that they’ve generated,” Instagram warned.
“Accounts that continue to use non-Instagram apps to get more followers may notice that certain parts of their Instagram account are limited.
“If you use one of these apps to gain likes or followers, your account may be disabled or terminated.”
If you’ve shared your username and password with one of these apps, you should change your Instagram password to protect your account.
While you’re at it, it’s probably best to delete the app too.
Twitter follower and likes apps
Twitter says it will temporarily lock out or suspend people from Twitter for promoting third-party follower and likes apps on the platform.
While the company does not explicitly say it will ban Twitter users from having these apps installed on their phone, they are widely recognised as hotbeds for data theft.
It’s wise to keep these apps far away from your phone.
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