The popularity of WhatsApp in Latin America is unquestionable, but users may be less safe in the app than they might think. A bug in the system allowed hackers to access information from smartphones after sending gif messages, one of the most popular formats deployed in informal conversations.

According to the media outlet Next Web, the gif message sent by hackers was generating an error on the app that makes the memory vulnerable, allowing them to have access to private information on  the smartphone. 

Facebook‘s team has already launched an update to reset the error and provide more safety for users. The WhatsApp bug affected only the 8.1 and 9.0 Android versions.