What is Houseparty?
Houseparty is an app that lets people video chat on desktop and mobile.
And like Zoom, it's very popular at the moment because we're all stuck in isolation!
However, the app hit the headlines this week for all the wrong reasons.
Why is it in the news this week?
Houseparty users are claiming their data has been hacked.
According to a number of tweets it looks like downloading the app has compromised people's Spotify, PayPal and Netflix accounts.
The news spread quickly on social media earlier this week and as a result thousands of people began deleting the app.
Hi friends. I was told house party app isn’t trustworthy, my friends mate was hacked so prob best to delete! Just wanted to let ya know!
— Olivia Bowen (@OliviaDBuck) March 30, 2020
Deleted houseparty after hearing about the hacking and now I’m overthinking this.. pic.twitter.com/tlQ3y8rQK1
— Poppy (@PoppyBuckley) March 30, 2020
Delete house party - somebody has hacked my Spotify from it pic.twitter.com/exHtjKYZqD
— (@CairnsOlivia) March 30, 2020
What do the people behind Houseparty have to say?
The app is owned by Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite.
And the creators have been reassuring users via their Twitter account.
On Monday they made a short statement claiming, the service is secure.'
All Houseparty accounts are safe - the service is secure, has never been compromised, and doesn’t collect passwords for other sites.
— Houseparty (@houseparty) March 30, 2020
$1M reward
On Tuesday the creators followed up with a very interesting tweet.
They believe, 'a paid commercial smear campaign,' is behind the hacking rumours.
And they're offering $1,ooo,ooo for proof!
Yes, if you can prove the alleged smear campaign to bring down Houseparty they will pay out one million dollars.
We are investigating indications that the recent hacking rumors were spread by a paid commercial smear campaign to harm Houseparty. We are offering a $1,000,000 bounty for the first individual to provide proof of such a campaign to bounty@houseparty.com.
— Houseparty (@houseparty) March 31, 2020
This is starting to sound like a Netflix documentary.
What do the experts say?
Forbes hired a cyber security expert to look into the hacking claims.
Researcher with firm ESET Lukas Stefanko took a look at the Android version of the app for potential issues.
While his is just one opinion, Stefanko said 'there was nothing of concern.'
'I analyzed the app's permissions usage and since the app provides video chats with your friends it is logical that requested permissions are necessary,' said Stefanko.
'I haven’t found any shady misusing of them by the app. The app doesn’t provide a lot of in-app options and settings, which creates less scenarios for exploiting security issues.'
The plot thickens...
