Fake WhatsApp clone gets more than 500,000 Play Store downloads

Summary

A fake WhatsApp clone has amassed more than 500,000 downloads on the Play Store, Android Authority reports. The Verge says a Reddit user saw the clone in a sponsored slot above the real WhatsApp listing.

Timeline

1. Android Authority

   16 Oct 2026, 11:20 UTCSource ↗

   Android Authority reports that a WhatsApp dupe on the Play Store has more than 500,000 downloads and urges readers to check app details.

2. The Verge

   16 Oct 2026, 15:02 UTCSource ↗

   The Verge reports that a Reddit user saw a fake WhatsApp app in a sponsored slot above the real listing, and says Android Authority reported the clone had more than 500,000 downloads.