WhatsApp is an incredibly popular app, so it doesn't come as a surprise that it's frequently targeted by scammers and hackers. One of the many ways WhatsApp users are targeted are through links that lead to fraudulent websites. Another is through malware. To that end, head of WhatsApp Will Cathart has advised against using modified versions of the app as they hide malware within the apps which can steal user data from their phones. While he can guarantee privacy and security for WhatsApp, he cannot say the same about these third party apps.
https://twitter.com/wcathcart/status/1546567955671961600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
In a series of tweets, he also gave an example, mentioning one such third-party version of WhatsApp called 'Hey WhatsApp' by developer 'HeyMods'. The malware was found within the app, but the app promised several new features for WhatsApp, which is what enticed users to fall for the scam in the first place.
https://twitter.com/wcathcart/status/1546567956728913920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
WhatsApp has done its part and reported the same to Google, which in turn released an update to Google Play Protect on Android. Play Protect is a program that's supposed to check apps and devices for malware and deactivate or delete suspicious apps.
Cathcart continued that the company would continue to monitor and report such third-party apps as they explore legal options to prevent such apps from being available to users in the first place.