Britons today urged fellow users to delete Houseparty after claiming hackers had used the app to access their Spotify and Netflix accounts.
Angry users of the social video app took to Twitter to complain their accounts had been compromised, with one writing: ‘Everyone delete your Houseparty account as they have hacked my Spotify and Netflix from Poland and the US.’
MailOnline has contacted the US company to comment on the claims.
It came as other users shared their horror stories about uninvited guests logging into their video chats, as privacy campaigners warned users to take precautions to protect against intruders.
Houseparty allows users to create open chat rooms where people can drop in on their phone book, Snapchat or Facebook contacts’ calls, unless the group is ‘locked’ by one of the participants.
Twitter user Edan Simpson wrote: ‘Today, whilst having a beer in the bath, I was on Houseparty with a friend and her boss literally entered our chat as I was naked and drunk to say ‘HI THERE’ then leave and I’m still computing it.’
Other Houseparty users said they had received notifications from their exes inviting them to connect while another, Jack Soden, complained about an ‘uninvited random’ in one of his chats ‘who’s not taking the hints’.
Houseparty users today claimed their accounts had been used to hack into Spotify profiles
Houseparty has seen huge success as much of the world remains under strict isolation to slow the spread of coronavirus, including in Britain where people are only allowed to leave their homes for one daily exercise session, vital goods or medical attention.
The app allows anyone to join a chatroom without permission if they are friends with one of the people on the group.
Campaigning charity Internet Matters warned this could threaten youngsters by allowing other users to enter their private chats. It warned parents to make their children aware of the importance of ‘locking’ their chats to stay safe.
The charity also warned that despite a 12+ age rating it is easy for younger users to sign up due to the lack of an effective age verification process.
Users of hugely-popular video call app Houseparty have flocked to social media to share their horror stories of unwanted callers ‘dropping in’ to private chats
Houseparty allows users to create open chat rooms where people can drop in on their phone book, Snapchat or Facebook contacts’ calls, unless the chatroom is ‘locked’ by one of the participants
‘Some of the language and images Houseparty uses may be impressionable to very young children, particularly those that are vulnerable,’ it advised. ‘It’s important to monitor what your child is using the app for and who they are communicating with.’
Several Houseparty users have complained on Twitter about people coming into their chats invited.
Seyi Akiwowo said: ‘Yesterday a guy’s ex came into our Houseparty chat and locked the room. It was M.A.D.’
Meanwhile, Rosie Collins dropped into her friend Erin’s chat with her mother and shared the resulting screenshot.
Rosie Collins dropped into her friend Erin’s chat with her mother and shared the resulting screenshot
It came as privacy specialists at Farrer & Co – the firm used by the Queen – publicly issued guidance that hackers and criminals can exploit flaws in Houseparty’s systems to access highly sensitive data.
Farrer associate Thomas Rudkin said people should consider using safer encrypted platforms such as Facetime and WhatsApp – though all have risks.
‘With video conferencing apps, there are also always concerns about how hackers and criminals might exploit them, ‘ said Mr Rudkin.
‘While Houseparty has extensive restrictions on who can join chats, risks may arise due to people making contacts on Facebook and then being asked to connect with them on Houseparty.
‘Houseparty (like many US tech platforms) has extensive data collection rights in its privacy policy, to include “information submitted via the services”.’
Another Twitter user complained about ‘uninvited randoms’ dropping into his Houseparty conversations
However, other security experts have reassured users the app is safe.
Cybersecurity and privacy researcher Lukas Stefanko told Forbes: ‘I analysed the app’s permissions usage and since the app provides video chats with your friends it is logical that requested permissions are necessary.
‘I haven’t found any shady misusing of them by the app.
‘The app doesn’t provide a lot of in-app options and settings, which creates less scenarios for exploiting security issues.’
MailOnline has contacted Houseparty for comment.