WhatsApp hacked and Alpay Özalan message sent from his account: CHP spokesperson to sue Turkcell

CHP Party Spokesperson Deniz Yücel had announced that his WhatsApp account was compromised. The CHP member Yücel explained the details of the plot against him and announced that he would file a lawsuit against Turkcell.

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WhatsApp hacked and Alpay Özalan message sent from his account: CHP spokesperson to sue Turkcell

CHP Party Spokesperson Deniz Yücel announced on Monday, August 19, 2024, that his WhatsApp account had been compromised. Yücel requested that any messages or calls sent from his account be disregarded.

In his statement, Deniz Yücel issued the warning: “Unfortunately, my WhatsApp account has been seized by malicious individuals. Please be aware that any messages, calls, or other communications you receive from my account are not from me and are not secure. During this time, please do not trust any messages from me, do not click on any links, and do not share your personal information.”

While the profile photo of CHP Spokesperson Deniz Yücel's WhatsApp account was changed to a photo of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan performing the Rabia sign, messages were also sent to certain individuals.

A photo of AKP MP Alpay Özalan, who punched TİP MP Ahmet Şık in Parliament, was sent to certain individuals and groups from the WhatsApp account, with the message "Should Alpay Özalan punch you too?" written underneath.

CHP Spokesperson Deniz Yücel explained the details of the plot against him and announced that he would file a lawsuit against Turkcell.

Deniz Yücel's statement is as follows:

“TO THE PUBLIC…

Although the method has not yet been determined, on August 19, 2024, at 14:40, a person or persons who obtained my identification information issued a new SIM card for the number I have been using for 25 years, acting as if they were me, through a communication center of the operator I use. And the SIM card inserted in my phone was automatically deactivated.

Through this SIM card, my WhatsApp was accessed, my profile photo was first changed to a photo of President Tayyip Erdoğan, and then messages were sent to individuals or groups added to my account with a photo of Alpay Özalan and the caption "Should Alpay Özalan punch you too?".

From the moment we realized this attack, we first published a warning message on social media to prevent harm to the people registered in my phone contacts and added to my WhatsApp account.

We then took the necessary steps to stop the use of my WhatsApp account. Currently, the activation of my WhatsApp account has been suspended as a result of the necessary correspondence, and our official correspondence to resolve the issue is ongoing.

This incident did not stem from a security vulnerability on my part or that of our party.

This attack is not just an attack on Deniz Yücel; it is an attack carried out due to my roles as Deputy Chairman of the Republican People's Party, Party Spokesperson, and Member of Parliament.

If a new SIM card can be issued illegally for someone who serves as the Spokesperson for the Main Opposition Party, Deputy Chairman, and Member of Parliament, then no one's freedom of communication, personal data, and information is safe in this country. I leave this to the judgment of the public...

I will file a criminal complaint with the Prosecutor's Office against the person or persons who obtained my identification information and seized my WhatsApp through illegal methods, as well as against those who have fault or negligence in this incident, for the crimes of seizing personal data, cybercrimes, and violation of the freedom of communication.

I would also like to state that I will file a lawsuit for material and moral damages against Turkcell regarding this attack, which took place through a communication center belonging to the operator I use.

Let no one have any doubt that we will put up every necessary fight to ensure that this attack, carried out today against the Party Spokesperson, Deputy Chairman, and a Member of Parliament of the Main Opposition Party, does not happen to our 85 million citizens tomorrow and that the communication security vulnerability in our country does not become normalized. Respectfully announced to the public.”

News Source: 12punto