Thursday, March 28, 2024

Virus hits Indian Koo app as Buhari, supporters continue mass exodus from Twitter

The Nigerian government abandoned its Twitter account with over a million followers, for the Indian copycat version known for promoting hate and anti-Muslim rhetoric.

• August 6, 2021
President Muhammadu Buhari, Twitter, and Koo
President Muhammadu Buhari, Twitter, and Koo

Indian copycat version of Twitter, Koo, has recently been ravaged by a virus that could have exposed its hundreds of users to attacks across the platform.

The virus was discovered by security researcher Rahul Kankrale in July, and Prasoon Gupta, an independent security researcher.

In an interview with The Hacker News, Mr Gupta explained that the virus came from the way Koo processes access tokens when a user’s profile is verified through the one-time password (OTP) sent to their phone numbers.

The virus allows malicious scripts to be embedded directly into the application. This way, an attacker can perform actions on behalf of users such as accessing web browser cookies.

This also means that hackers could place sensitive data such as private messages, or spread misinformation, or display spam using users’ profiles.

This virus stands to affect the accounts of top government functionaries, presidential aides, agencies, and other pro-government individuals taken to Koo.

Koo, launched in November 2019, positioned itself as a government friendly alternative to Twitter after the Buhari regime indefinitely banned Twitter for deleting a tweet by the president threatening to punish secessionists in the South-East region of the country.

The federal government demanded that all social media platforms operating within the country must register as a business entity locally. These were the same conditions that were laid down for the lifting of the ban on Twitter.

The Nigerian government abandoned its Twitter account with over a million followers, for the Indian copycat version known for promoting hate and anti-Muslim rhetoric.

The Buhari regime’s adoption of the social media app has boosted Koo standings, with the platform recently featuring Mr Buhari in its advertisements, claiming to offer exclusive access to Nigeria’s president.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Dele Alake

NationWide

Minister orders new NSCDC marshals to smoke out illegal miners

Mr Alake said there were plans for other security sister agencies to integrate their officers into the outfit structure.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima

Health

FG pledges training of teaching hospital personnel to enhance healthcare delivery

“I commend the CMD and his team for providing quality leadership to the hospital’’

Redesign naira notes

Economy

Naira gains six per cent at official market

The naira appreciated by N82.52 to reach N1,300 per dollar,

Labour Party (LP)

Politics

INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention

The Labour Party on Tuesday shifted its convention from Umuahia in Abia State to Nnewi, Anambra State.

COLLAPSED BALTIMORE BRIDGE

World

Bodies of Baltimore bridge collapse victims recovered

Mr Butler said they had exhausted all search efforts.

NASENI

NationWide

NASENI to lift 2.5 million Nigerians out of poverty in five years: CEO

Mr Halilu said that NASENI plans to generate over three million jobs by 2030.