Fact check: Is the Houseparty application hacking its users to collect data?

coronavirus pandemic has taken over world and made people stay indoors and practice self-isolation. As more and more people practice social distancing and self-quarantine, popularity of various video-calling applications has increased exponentially. Houseparty app is a unique platform where people can video call up to eight of ir kwn friends and play games like Trivia and quizzes while being online. But it looks like Houseparty has run into some trouble as users are reporting application has been compromised.

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Claim - 

Many users on social media are claiming that Houseparty application has been hacked. Users are claiming that ir Spotify, Netflix, Snapchat and PayPal accounts were hacked after downloading Houseparty app. Some users also claimed that ir social media accounts were hacked multiple times after downloading Houseparty app. People also started giving out tips for how to delete account on Houseparty app. 

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Rating - Evidently False

official Twitter account for Houseparty application has w come forward and denied any activity happening from ir end. company has addressed that rumours about Houseparty hacking its users and revealed that a paid campaign to spread wrong information about application in order for users to leave platform was behind it. Houseparty company has also offered a bounty of whopping $1 million to anyone who provides proof of same. 

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Origin- 

Various social media users abruptly started calling out Houseparty application to be hacks. se social media profiles were recently activated with a minimum followers list, which is often a clear sign of those accounts being fake. It is safe to say that various fake accounts were created to foulmouth Houseparty application as it has been gaining a lot of popularity due to its features, which competing apps do t have. 

Google Trends analysis of Houseparty application

As various fake accounts started to foulmouth Houseparty application on social, internet users were quick to find wher application has been hacking its users. This resulted in a surge of searches on Google about same. Check it out below - 

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