GoKawiilEdgar Cervantes / Android Authority
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TL;DR A WhatsApp privacy flaw can allow anyone to view your photos without unlocking your phone.
The flaw lies in WhatsApp’s “create with AI” feature, which seems to bypass lock screen restrictions.
It has already been reported to Meta and Google.
If you think your locked phone can prevent people from accessing your personal data, such as your photos, think again. A new flaw was recently discovered in WhatsApp that bypasses the usual lock screen restrictions and allows anyone to view all the photos saved in your phone’s gallery.
The flaw was shared by Jose Rodriguez on X, explaining how it works and showing it in action (via NotebookCheck). When you receive a WhatsApp video call on your locked Android phone, you can answer it without unlocking the phone. That’s expected behavior—no surprises there.
This is in plain sight. It’s not hidden, not a secret feature. Not a hack.
This has already been reported to Meta and Google.#Security #Android17 pic.twitter.com/F7wulhNiZ1 Be aware that your photos can be accessed without unlocking your phone when you receive a WhatsApp video call on Android.This is in plain sight. It’s not hidden, not a secret feature. Not a hack.This has already been reported to Meta and Google. #Privacy — Jose Rodriguez (@VBarraquito) September 1, 2026
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