Is GB WhatsApp Safe for Business Use? Here’s What You Need to Know

For businesses, effective communication is paramount. For this reason, many businesses, enterprises of all sizes, whether small, medium, or large, have naturally gravitated towards WhatsApp. It is a widely adopted and easy-to-use messaging platform, as it enables direct and instant interaction with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.

But, are you aware that businesses also opt for a lesser-known, yet widely available, alternative called GB WhatsApp, which offers promising features beyond the standard WhatsApp experience, like the following, which seems like an appealing solution for businesses to gain an edge in the market:

• Enhanced Privacy Controls
• Greater Customization

But the real humdrum around GB WhatsApp is its safety. Is this unofficial version truly safe for businesses?

The unequivocal answer is no. Using GB WhatsApp for business purposes introduces a multitude of risks that far outweigh any perceived benefits. This blog will delve deep into what GB WhatsApp is, why it poses significant threats to your business, and why opting for official WhatsApp Business solutions is the only secure and compliant path forward.

What exactly is GB WhatsApp?

GB WhatsApp is an unofficial version of WhatsApp, developed by third parties. It does not have any links with Meta (the parent company of WhatsApp) and operates outside of WhatsApp’s ecosystem. Users are typically drawn to GB WhatsApp for the “extra” features that the standard app doesn’t offer.

These perceived advantages include:

• Extended Privacy Options, like hiding online status, blue ticks, typing indicators, and even viewing deleted messages
• Customization with a wider range of themes, fonts, and interface modifications.
• Larger File Sharing, thus bypassing the standard size limits for media and documents
• Running Multiple WhatsApp Accounts on a single device
• Message Scheduling and Auto-replies features, sought by businesses

While these features sound attractive on the surface, it’s crucial to understand that GB WhatsApp works by modifying WhatsApp’s original code. This modification takes place without Meta’s approval or oversight, leading to a host of security and operational vulnerabilities. It’s essentially a hacked version of the app, and that has serious implications.

The Dangers of Using GB WhatsApp for Business

Businesses risk a lot with GB WhatsApp, and not just inconvenience. It can at times be catastrophic. To understand this, let us look at the critical dangers one by one:

Data Security & Privacy Risks

This is the most significant concern for businesses relying on unofficial apps and opening their data to unknown entities, which entails:

Compromised End-to-End Encryption

While the official WhatsApp app has end-to-end encryption between senders and recipients only, this is not the case for the unverified GB WhatsApp. Since GB WhatsApp lacks this encryption and cannot protect your sensitive business communications (like your customers’ data, or internal communications) from being intercepted, read, or stored by others, you are leaving yourself with an enormous risk of a data breach.

Malware and Spyware

Since GB WhatsApp was downloaded from an unverified source (not from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store), it is very likely that the APK file has been compromised and includes malware, spyware, or other malicious code. This malicious code can read sensitive information saved on your mobile device. Some examples of sensitive data that could be read include: contacts, banking information, passwords, and other confidential business information. Furthermore, it might allow malicious actors unsafe access to your mobile device.

Data Theft and Leakage

The modified version may also collect and submit your data, including your message history, files, and address book, to unknown servers controlled by developers of GB WhatsApp, which automatically leads to data leakage, putting your business and customers at risk of identity theft, phishing attacks, and other cybercrimes.

No Official Servers

Your data is not protected by the official WhatsApp servers, and it is being transferred through unverified servers.

Account Suspension & Banning: Disrupting Your Operations

According to WhatsApp’s terms of service, using unofficial or modified versions of the app is forbidden. Meta has detection systems that constantly work to identify those accounts.

Using GB WhatsApp violates WhatsApp’s Terms of Service

Using GB WhatsApp violates WhatsApp’s terms in a direct way. WhatsApp can take action if it finds out you are violating its Terms of Service.

Temporary or Permanent Action

If WhatsApp identifies you for using untrusted software, it could take temporary action on your WhatsApp Business number. If you continue to use this untrusted software or they identify you again, Meta can permanently ban your number from WhatsApp. It is hard to imagine that your only way to communicate with customers disappears in an instant.

Loss of your Established Business Identity

If your business identity is tied to a phone number on WhatsApp, and WhatsApp bans that number, you’ve lost all of the goodwill and identity that you had built with customers on that platform. If you don’t have that user’s trust anymore to use that number, it will take time, effort, and likely money to set your new number up and to regain customer trust.

Legal & Compliance Issues: The Regulatory Minefield

In a time when data protection is becoming ever more stringent, unofficial apps such as GB WhatsApp are a huge legal liability. 

Non-Compliance with Data Protection Laws

Regulatory frameworks like the following require strict use and protection of personal data:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
• India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA)
• Other relevant industry-specific regulations (like HIPAA for healthcare)

In the absence of an app that can ensure data protection and data security, your business is vulnerable to engaging in non-compliance, which can lead to significant fines and lawsuits.

Reputational Risk

A data breach or data privacy incident related to the use of unofficial apps can have devastating reputational impacts for your business. Businesses gain trust by receiving information from customers. Trust is crucial to a business, and losing the trust of a customer can lead to customer churn and negative social perception, which further causes reputation risk.

No Legal Remedy

In the event of a security incident via GB WhatsApp, you will have no legal remedy against Meta/WhatsApp because you have already gone against their terms. Moreover, the developers of GB WhatsApp are typically anonymous, and there is no accountability.

Technical Instability & Lack of Support: Operational Headaches

In addition to the security issues, GB WhatsApp was never meant to be a reliable business solution.

Bugs, Glitches, & Crashes

Unofficial apps are notorious for being riddled with bugs, glitches, and inconsistencies. You will experience more crashes, delivered messages not getting through, and also deal with compatibility issues between operating systems and devices. You can’t always rely on it to communicate.

Missing all Official Updates or Security Patches

Official WhatsApp updates its app routinely with bug fixes and important security patches. GB WhatsApp is missing those security patches and updates, and will become vulnerable and exploitable as new exploits are released.

Incompatibility

As WhatsApp continually updates its official app, GB WhatsApp may eventually stop functioning or not function properly.

No Customer Support

There is no customer support for GB WhatsApp. If you have a technical or security issue, it is the same as having no app at all. If you have an app issue, you are on your own.

Why Businesses Are Tempted (And Why They Shouldn’t Be)

It’s not surprising that some businesses may be persuaded to use GB WhatsApp. The prospect of having “more features” – such as advanced privacy features or bulk message capabilities – appears appealing. This is especially true for small businesses with limited budgets who believe GB WhatsApp’s enhanced functions will enable enhanced communication or marketing without spending money on the official platforms.

However, these conveniences are illusory. The short-term convenience or cost savings are nowhere near the substantial long-term risks like threats to data security, potential legal compliance violations, and business continuity risks. No “extra” feature is worth the risk of a data breach, permanent suspension of your account, or reputational damage to your business.

Official WhatsApp Business Solution: The Safe & Secure Alternative

Instead of risking your business with unofficial apps, turn to Meta’s officially supported and secure solutions designed specifically for businesses, i.e., the WhatsApp Business API platform. 

For organizations looking for scalability, enhanced features, and integration capability, the WhatsApp Business API platform is the commercial platform for such solutions.  The WhatsApp Business API is not an app, but an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows businesses to link their systems, like the following to WhatsApp:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
• Marketing Automation Platforms

Typically, businesses access the WhatsApp Business APIs using a WhatsApp Business API platform such as Cunnekt.

Features

Some of the features available include the following:

• Scalable Marketing: You can send messages to many customers at the same time. This can include notifications, updates, and marketing messages on WhatsApp.
• Multi-User Access: Many agents or teams can manage customer conversations in one centralized dashboard.
• CRM/ERP Connections: Messaging conversations on WhatsApp can be consolidated with your existing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The goal is to have all customer data in one place.
• Advanced Automation: You can use chatbots and automate workflows to provide 24/7 customer support and engagement
• Rich Media: You can send secure images, video, documents, and even wallet payment links.
• Official Verification (Blue Tick): WhatsApp Business API platforms can help eligible businesses to apply for and get the “Blue Tick” verification badge. This can greatly increase their trust and credibility with customers.

Security & Compliance:

The WhatsApp Business API platform is built with enterprise-grade security, meaning that conversations started by businesses and users are encrypted end-to-end.

Advantages of utilizing a WhatsApp Business API platform (i.e., Cunnekt):

Integrated Solution

The WhatsApp Business API platform provides you with seamless integration of the API and takes away the hassle of needing to code it yourself, and just gets your business started.

Managed Solutions

WhatsApp Business API platforms provide you with easy-to-use programs, dashboards, and tools to help you manage the conversations, use templates, and analyze your performance.

Expert Support

WhatsApp Business API platforms provide the onboarding, troubleshooting, and optimization advice for your WhatsApp communications.

Compliance Support

WhatsApp Business API platforms provide advice on staying within WhatsApp’s policies and data retention rules.

Best Practices for Secure WhatsApp Business Communication

These best practices will help to keep your business safe and proper when using WhatsApp.

Use ONLY Official Channels

This is vital to your business‘s success on WhatsApp; I do not want to sound like a broken record, but use an Official WhatsApp Business API platform.

Train Your Team

Ensure all employees are aware of the risks that unofficial apps pose and that they must only use Official Channels for business communications.

Have Data Protection Policies

Have clear internal policies on how customer data must be handled, stored, and protected with WhatsApp.

Get Explicit Opt-ins

For any proactive messaging (especially marketing), you must ensure all customers are opted in explicitly as per WhatsApp’s policies and local regulations.

Stay Up to Date

Ensure you are regularly updating your platform and running the most up-to-date and secure version.

Conclusion

The “extra features” that GB WhatsApp offers can be a leading cause of data security breaches, banned accounts, and legal in-compliance – all of which screw your business – it’s not worth the risk! Your company’s reputation, customer relationships, and future operations are too important to risk with an unofficial application, which offers no support.

To ensure secure, reliable, and compliant communications, businesses should always, and unequivocally, choose official WhatsApp Business solutions. Whether it is the free WhatsApp Business App for smaller-sized operations or the robust, scalable WhatsApp Business API platform through a trusted partner like Cunnekt, investing in official solutions for your business is like investing in the future, security, and success of your business. Please consider this option as it is safe and helps you develop long-lasting and trustworthy relationships with your customers.

 

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