WhatsApp is a battery killer on Android smartphones now? Users of OnePlus, Samsung, Xiaomi, others raise alarm

Over the last week, WhatsApp has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Even as the instant messaging platform tries to recover from WhatsApp-NSO group spyware controversy, it finds itself in more trouble. Smartphone users from across the globe have claimed that their smartphones' batteries are discharging faster than usual over the past few days. The reason behind this is believed to be the latest version of WhatsApp which was rolled out a bit more than a week ago. Smartphone users have claimed this on Google Play Store, OnePlus Forum, Twitter and also on Reddit.

All major smartphone brands have been hit by the problem which seems more severe on OnePlus phones. A lot of users took to OnePlus forum to complain about the WhatsApp update causing battery drain on their phones, including those who use the recent OnePlus 7T Pro, the OnePlus 7T and the OnePlus 7 Pro smartphones. “

"Was wondering why my phone was draining quite a bit faster than normal today. 16% battery drain from WhatsApp after only actively using it for less than 5 minutes today," says a user with the handle KiltedTraveler on Reddit

WATCH Zee Business TV LIVE Streaming Online -

Samsung and Google smartphones have also been affected by this problem. “Indeed! I have noticed that it is draining a lot of battery (more than normal, a lot more) in my Pixel 3,” says a Reddit user Tito1983. “Same issue in S10e... after several updates and after having reinstalled it seems to be fine,” adds Reddit user Matrix009917. Other brands to have faced the problem include Xiaomi and Huawei.

There has been no official communication by WhatsApp regarding this alleged issue.

The platform had recently sued cybersecurity company NSO for over $75,000 in damages alleging that the Israeli firm illegally used WhatsApp servers to sneak Pegasus into phones belonging to 1,400 users across 20 countries. Several users from India, including journalists, activists, lawyers and senior government officials, were also hit by the latest attack.