A World Cup app and two dating apps for Android phones available on the Israeli version of the Google Play store were loaded with data stealing malware, military security officers told reporters at a briefing in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
The malicious apps reportedly gave Gaza based Hamas the ability to access locations and copy contacts, files and photos, as well as hack cameras and microphones for spying purposes. Around soldiers β men and women β downloaded the apps after being contacted and asked to do so by militants, who mostly posed as attractive young people on social media, the IDF said. The Israeli personnel either reported the incident to superiors or were located by military security analysts before any damage was done, the authorities said of their counter efforts, codenamed Operation Broken Heart.
The IDF did not expand on what led it to believe Hamas was responsible for planting the malware. The Palestinian organisation declined to comment on the allegations and the apps have since been removed from the store.
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in.
Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Not now Yes please. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails.
