United Kingdom, April 3 -- WhatsApp has issued a warning to users tricked into installing a fake app containing spyware.

The Meta-owned instant messaging platform has notified around 200 users who installed a malicious fake version of its platform for iPhones, which they have accused Italian spyware firm SIO of creating.

In a statement to TechCrunch, they said: "Our security team proactively identified around 200 users primarily in Italy who we believe may have downloaded this malicious unofficial client. "We have logged them out, alerted [them] to the risks to their privacy and security that come with downloading fake unofficial clients, and encouraged them to remove it and download the official WhatsApp app."

WhatsApp has also confir...