--- title: "Iran Says WhatsApp A Tool For Israeli Surveillance — Meta Hits Back, Calling It 'False Reports'" type: "News" locale: "zh-HK" url: "https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/245017591.md" description: "Meta Platforms, Inc. has refuted claims by the Iranian government that WhatsApp is being used for Israeli surveillance. Iran's state media warned citizens against using WhatsApp and other apps, citing security concerns. WhatsApp emphasized its commitment to user privacy, stating that it does not track locations or share user data with governments. The platform has faced restrictions in Iran during civil unrest, and recent military tensions have led to a significant drop in internet usage in the country. Meta's stock fell slightly amid these developments." datetime: "2025-06-18T04:53:30.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/245017591.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/245017591.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/245017591.md) --- > 支持的語言: [简体中文](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/245017591.md) | [English](https://longbridge.com/en/news/245017591.md) # Iran Says WhatsApp A Tool For Israeli Surveillance — Meta Hits Back, Calling It 'False Reports' **Meta Platforms, Inc.'s** META instant messaging service, **WhatsApp**, is pushing back against allegations by the Iranian government that it is being used by Israel to identify and target individuals. **What Happened:** On Tuesday, Iran's state-run news agency IRIB reported that authorities warned citizens to stop using WhatsApp, **Telegram** and other "location-based applications," asserting that they are tools for Israeli surveillance, reported CNN. In response, a WhatsApp spokesperson issued a statement expressing concern. "We're concerned these false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked at a time when people need them the most," the spokesperson said. The company underscored that it does not track users' precise locations and that all communications are secured. "All of the messages you send to family and friends on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one except the sender and recipient has access to those messages, not even WhatsApp," the spokesperson said. The platform also stated that WhatsApp does not provide mass user data to any government and pointed to Meta's public transparency reports detailing rare instances of lawful information requests, the report added. _Subscribe to the_ _Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter_ _to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox._ **Why It's Important:** Meta’s platforms have previously faced restrictions from Iran's government during times of civil unrest. In 2022, during widespread protests over the death of 22-year-old **Mahsa Amini** in police custody, Meta reported that Iranian authorities had heavily restricted access to **Instagram** to limit the flow of protest-related information, reported CBS News. Israel launched airstrikes on Friday aimed at Iranian nuclear sites, key scientists and senior military officials. In response, Iran fired dozens of ballistic missiles. Since then, both countries have exchanged multiple rounds of missile attacks. The Israeli military reports at least 24 deaths and many injuries in Israel, while Tehran states that over 224 people have died in Iran since the strikes began, the report added. According to the internet watchdog group NetBlocks, internet usage in Iran dropped by 75% on Tuesday amid the growing conflict. **Price Action:** On Tuesday, Meta fell 0.70% during regular market hours and dipped another 0.38% in after-hours trading, according to Benzinga Pro. **Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings** reflect a sustained positive trend for META over the short, medium and long term. Additional performance data is available here. _Photo Courtesy: BigTunaOnline on Shutterstock.com _ _Check out more of Benzinga’s Consumer Tech coverage by_ _following this link__._ - **Cathie Wood Dumps Palantir As Stock Touches Peak Prices, Bails On Soaring Flying-Taxi Maker Archer Aviation** ### 相關股票 - [Meta Platforms (META.US)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/quote/META.US.md) ## 相關資訊與研究 - [Tech Wrap March 30: OPPO Find X9 Ultra, WhatsApp on CarPlay, Blaupunkt](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/281041030.md) - [Draft IT regulations may widen govt oversight on social media content](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/281133616.md) - [Govt proposes to bring independent news creators under MIB purview](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/281049326.md) - [WhatsApp notifies hundreds of users who installed a fake app that was actually government spyware](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/281402008.md) - [Wall Street Sees Further Upside in Nebius Stock (NBIS). Here's Why](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/281388386.md)