Meta said it had discovered possible hacking attempts on the WhatsApp accounts of US officials—both from the current President Joe Biden and the former President Donald Trump administrations—and was attributing the acts to the very same Iranian hacker group revealed earlier this month to have compromised Trump's campaign.

The parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp explained in a blog post that the attempt was only a "small cluster of likely social engineering activity on WhatsApp." These include a number of accounts masquerading as AOL, Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft technical support.

It blocked the accounts after users reported the activity as suspicious and had not seen any evidence suggesting the targeted WhatsApp accounts had been compromised, it said.

Meta said the activity was the handiwork of APT42, a hacking group that researchers widely believe is associated with an intelligence division inside Iran's military, which places surveillance software on the mobile phones of its victims. That software, according to researchers who follow the group, gives the team the ability to record calls and steal text messages, turning on cameras and microphones sneakily.

The activity of the group is connected to efforts to breach US presidential campaigns that Microsoft and Google reported earlier this month, ahead of the US presidential election in November.

The company blog did not mention the names of people targeted, saying only that the hackers "appeared to have focused on political and diplomatic officials, business and other public figures, some associated with administrations of President Biden and former President Trump."

It added that those figures were based in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Iran, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Meta said it had discovered possible hacking attempts on the WhatsApp accounts of US officials—both from the current President Joe Biden and the former President Donald Trump administrations—and was attributing the acts to the very same Iranian hacker group revealed earlier this month to have compromised Trump's campaign.

Meta said it had discovered possible hacking attempts on the WhatsApp accounts of US officials—both from the current President Joe Biden and the former President Donald Trump administrations—and was attributing the acts to the very same Iranian hacker group revealed earlier this month to have compromised Trump's campaign. The parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp explained in a blog post that the attempt was only a "small cluster of likely social engineering activity on WhatsApp." These include a number of accounts masquerading as AOL, Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft technical support. It blocked the accounts after users reported the activity as suspicious and had not seen any evidence suggesting the targeted WhatsApp accounts had been compromised, it said. Meta said the activity was the handiwork of APT42, a hacking group that researchers widely believe is associated with an intelligence division inside Iran's military, which places surveillance software on the mobile phones of its victims. That software, according to researchers who follow the group, gives the team the ability to record calls and steal text messages, turning on cameras and microphones sneakily. The activity of the group is connected to efforts to breach US presidential campaigns that Microsoft and Google reported earlier this month, ahead of the US presidential election in November. The company blog did not mention the names of people targeted, saying only that the hackers "appeared to have focused on political and diplomatic officials, business and other public figures, some associated with administrations of President Biden and former President Trump." It added that those figures were based in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Iran, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Meta reports an Iranian group attempted to compromise WhatsApp accounts of officials linked to Trump and Biden

Stage is set for the Trump-Biden debate on Thursday. What will be the key issues that will dominate the first debate between the two? Collins Chong Yew Keat, Foreign Affairs, Strategy and Security expert, joins us to discuss.

What to expect in the Biden-Trump face-off?

During the week of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, President Biden's reelection campaign released an advertisement criticising former President Trump for his remarks toward veterans.

The one-minute film, "What Trump Thinks," has excerpts from Trump that show him disparaging service people. Some of these statements have been refuted after they were originally made public.

Trump had previously denied saying the thing about "suckers," even though his former chief of staff, John Kelly, later verified it.

The video shows that Trump made fun of then-Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a Vietnam War prisoner, on many occasions.

Additionally, Trump was quoted as saying to a war widow that her spouse "knew what he signed up for." In 2017, Trump refuted having said those things.

The film, according to Michael Tyler, the director of communications for Biden's campaign, highlights the disparities in Biden's and Trump's attitudes toward veterans and military personnel.

Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler argued in a statement that the video shows the difference between Biden's and Trump’s treatment toward veterans and service members.

“The choice this November could not be more obvious: Donald Trump has no respect for our men and women in uniform, their families, or the freedoms many of them gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend,” Tyler said.

“President Biden, a military father, values and respects soldiers and their families. President Biden will continue to deliver on getting veterans the health care and benefits they need and deserve. Donald Trump simply does not care,” Tyler added.

In reaction to the video, Biden was criticised by Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung, who pointed out that the vice president at the time had branded soldiers "stupid" during a military base speech and had been spotted wearing a watch during the respectful handover of those killed in the 2021 airport bombings in Kabul.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/plane-tire-blows-off-during-take-off-makes-emergency-landing-as-passengers-cry-scream-729907">US: Plane tyre blows off during take-off, makes emergency landing as passengers 'cry, scream'</a>

“Joe Biden has disrespected U.S. service members by calling them ‘silly bastards,’ showed his lack of empathy by repeatedly checking his watch during a solemn ceremony for soldiers killed during the catastrophic Afghanistan withdrawal, and been criticized by Gold Star families for his lack of respect. The fact is that under Biden, America is weaker on the world stage and has made America more vulnerable,” Cheung said.

The Biden campaign released an advertisement on Thursday that featured three veterans criticising Trump for being a “draft dodger” and said he is unsuitable to be the head of state.

The two films&nbsp;released as Biden commemorates the D-Day anniversary in France. During his comments on Thursday and Friday, he subtly mocked Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan and his "America First" agenda.

(With inputs from agencies)

During the week of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, President Biden's reelection campaign released an advertisement criticising former President Trump for his remarks toward veterans.

During the week of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, President Biden's reelection campaign released an advertisement criticising former President Trump for his remarks toward veterans. The one-minute film, "What Trump Thinks," has excerpts from Trump that show him disparaging service people. Some of these statements have been refuted after they were originally made public. Trump had previously denied saying the thing about "suckers," even though his former chief of staff, John Kelly, later verified it. The video shows that Trump made fun of then-Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a Vietnam War prisoner, on many occasions. Additionally, Trump was quoted as saying to a war widow that her spouse "knew what he signed up for." In 2017, Trump refuted having said those things. The film, according to Michael Tyler, the director of communications for Biden's campaign, highlights the disparities in Biden's and Trump's attitudes toward veterans and military personnel. Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler argued in a statement that the video shows the difference between Biden's and Trump’s treatment toward veterans and service members. “The choice this November could not be more obvious: Donald Trump has no respect for our men and women in uniform, their families, or the freedoms many of them gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend,” Tyler said. “President Biden, a military father, values and respects soldiers and their families. President Biden will continue to deliver on getting veterans the health care and benefits they need and deserve. Donald Trump simply does not care,” Tyler added. In reaction to the video, Biden was criticised by Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung, who pointed out that the vice president at the time had branded soldiers "stupid" during a military base speech and had been spotted wearing a watch during the respectful handover of those killed in the 2021 airport bombings in Kabul. Also read: US: Plane tyre blows off during take-off, makes emergency landing as passengers 'cry, scream' “Joe Biden has disrespected U.S. service members by calling them ‘silly bastards,’ showed his lack of empathy by repeatedly checking his watch during a solemn ceremony for soldiers killed during the catastrophic Afghanistan withdrawal, and been criticized by Gold Star families for his lack of respect. The fact is that under Biden, America is weaker on the world stage and has made America more vulnerable,” Cheung said. The Biden campaign released an advertisement on Thursday that featured three veterans criticising Trump for being a “draft dodger” and said he is unsuitable to be the head of state. The two films released as Biden commemorates the D-Day anniversary in France. During his comments on Thursday and Friday, he subtly mocked Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan and his "America First" agenda. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden campaign releases ad criticising Trump's disrespect toward veterans

Russian leader Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that he prefers President Joe Biden to win the US 2024 election over former President Donald Trump, describing him as more experienced and predictable.

Russian President Putin says he prefers Joe Biden over Donald Trump in the White House

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Meta reports an Iranian group attempted to compromise WhatsApp accounts of officials linked to Trump and Biden

What to expect in the Biden-Trump face-off?

Biden campaign releases ad criticising Trump's disrespect toward veterans

Russian President Putin says he prefers Joe Biden over Donald Trump in the White House