Former WhatsApp Security Chief Sues Meta for Retaliation After Raising Serious Security Concerns
Former WhatsApp Head of Security Attaullah Baig has filed a lawsuit against Meta and its executives, alleging retaliation after he raised serious security concerns. Baig, who was fired in February 2025, claims he was forced to resign after presenting a detailed report on cybersecurity deficiencies in late 2024.
Baig's lawsuit, filed in March 2025, seeks reinstatement, back pay, damages for emotional distress, and attorney's fees. He claims that after warning senior leadership about six critical security failures in August 2022, he faced negative performance reviews and had security features blocked. One of the most alarming issues Baig discovered was around 100,000 WhatsApp users losing their accounts daily to takeovers. He also found that 1,500 WhatsApp engineers had unrestricted access to user data.
Baig's concerns were not limited to WhatsApp's user data. He warned his supervisors about the company's lack of inventory of user data and inadequate security measures. Despite these warnings, Baig was denied equity by Meta managers. In late 2024, Baig filed a confidential whistleblower complaint with the SEC, further escalating the issue.
Baig's lawsuit alleges that Meta's response to his security concerns was not only inadequate but also punitive. His firing, just a month after filing a complaint with the US Department of Labor's OSHA, has raised questions about Meta's commitment to addressing security concerns and protecting whistleblowers. The lawsuit is ongoing, and Meta has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
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