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What's the deal with all these Houseparty hacking rumours?

Photo credit: Jakub Porzycki - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jakub Porzycki - Getty Images

From Cosmopolitan

If you're anything like us, the video chat app, Houseparty, which seemingly came out of nowhere (despite being around since 2016), has quickly become a home screen staple during the coronavirus lockdown. Instagram Stories have all of a sudden became awash with screengrabs of friends having virtual get-togethers, too. So, rumours that the app could lead to your Netflix, Snapchat or Spotify account being hacked, weren't exactly welcomed... Especially during a time of social distancing, when box sets are more crucial than ever.

However, it's reported by the BBC, that the makers of the app are denying the stories so vehemently that they're even offering a £810,750 reward to anybody who can pinpoint where the "smear campaign" against the app started. Yikes!

The rumour began after multiple people posted screenshots on Twitter, showing what they claim is proof that they've been locked out of their streaming apps – and more seriously, even their bank accounts, after having downloaded Houseparty. Another said their emails had been compromised, too.

One user advised other fans of the app to "delete your account before you delete the app", another said they "recommend everyone to delete that house party app [sic], had my email etc hacked from it".

According to Houseparty's official Twitter page, they're offering the money out to "the first individual to provide proof of such a campaign."

The tweet in full reads: "We are investigating indications that the recent hacking rumors were spread by a paid commercial smear campaign to harm Houseparty. We are offering a $1,000,000 bounty for the first individual to provide proof of such a campaign to bounty@houseparty.com."

Houseparty also attempted to reassure users that the system had not been hacked, with a further tweet saying, "All Houseparty accounts are safe - the service is secure, has never been compromised, and doesn’t collect passwords for other sites."

Photo credit: Cosmopolitan
Photo credit: Cosmopolitan

However, the replies underneath again show screenshots from users who say they've been hacked and who are unable to delete their accounts.

We have reached out to Epic Games, the owners of Houseparty, for comment and will update this story as more emerges.

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