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Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
AK-47 to LWRC M6: Houthi's peddling US, Russian weapons on X, WhatsApp; chilling details exposed
Yemen's online arms trade has exploded, with over 130 X accounts many linked to Houthis openly selling US and Russian weapons. A Tech Transparency Project probe found RPGs, AK-47s, and even US military M4s for sale via X and WhatsApp. Some guns bore Houthi slogans or 'property of US govt' marks. Shockingly, 61% of these accounts emerged after Musk's Twitter takeover, exposing how global platforms are fueling illegal arms markets. Show more Show less
Arab News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Houthi-linked arms traders using X, WhatsApp to sell weapons: Report
LONDON: Arms dealers linked to Yemen's Houthi militia have been using social media platforms such as X and WhatsApp to sell weapons, according to a new report. The Tech Transparency Project, or TTP, identified hundreds of accounts openly dealing in rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and other military-grade equipment, in apparent violation of the platforms' policies. 'X and WhatsApp are providing an essential platform to Houthi-linked arms dealers selling weapons of war,' the report read. 'The companies have policies in place that prohibit that kind of illicit trade but are allowing it to take place in the open.' TTP called the activity 'a threat to US national security interests,' noting the Iran-backed group is designated as a terrorist organization. The months-long investigation by the Washington-based watchdog, which monitors accountability in Big Tech, found that Houthi-affiliated arms dealers had been running commercial weapons stores on both platforms for months, and in some cases, years. Researchers identified at least 130 Yemen-based X accounts and 67 WhatsApp business accounts advertising military-grade equipment or promoting catalogues of guns for sale. These included US-manufactured weapons — some marked 'Property of US Govt' — and other Western arms labeled with 'NATO.' In one instance, a seller listed four M4 carbines — an assault rifle used by the US military and manufactured by FN Herstal and Colt — and directed buyers to WhatsApp. Another account offered a package deal that included a ballistic helmet, night-vision goggles and grenades. Russian weapons, including RPG-7 launchers and AK-47s, also featured prominently. A Soviet RPG-7 was offered for about $1,800, while another account advertised a 'zero mileage' Russian AK-47. Prices for some weapons reportedly reached $10,000, suggesting sales may be intended for other armed groups or insurgents. Many of the accounts displayed allegiance to the Houthi, including photos of weapons in crates marked with Houthi slogans such as 'Death to America, death to Israel.' More than half of the X accounts listed Sanaa — under Houthi control for more than a decade — as their location. Many accounts funneled buyers to WhatsApp business profiles, some of which openly displayed catalogs of rifles and ammunition. A number of these were also linked to Facebook and Instagram accounts, raising further concerns over Meta's enforcement of its firearms policies. Meta, which owns WhatsApp, says it reviews all images submitted to product catalogs, yet researchers found little evidence of enforcement. The company said it had since removed several accounts and claimed it does not profit from this type of activity but declined to answer how the content had bypassed existing filters. 'X and WhatsApp both have policies against weapons sales but they are allowing arms traders linked to a US-designated terrorist group to traffic weapons on their platforms,' said Katie Paul, the director of TTP. 'In some cases these companies may be profiting off violations of their own policies that create risks for US national security.' TTP's findings, which build on a similar August 2024 investigation by The Times, suggest most of the Houthi-linked arms dealer accounts were created or became active following mass layoffs at X and Meta that weakened enforcement capabilities. Many handles had blue ticks and were subscribed to premium services that are supposed to be moderated. Roughly two-thirds of the accounts appear to have posted weapons content in the past six months. 'Both Meta and X have the capital, the tools and the human resources to address this problem, but they're not doing so,' Paul said.
Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Yemen-based arms traders are using X and WhatsApp to sell US and Russian weapons: Report
A months-long investigation by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) has revealed a sprawling digital arms market operated by Yemen-based traders, many of whom appear to be affiliated with or supportive of Houthi militias. The sellers are leveraging popular digital platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta's WhatsApp Business to market and possibly sell weapons, some of which are believed to be of US or Russian origin. TTP identified at least 130 Yemen-based X accounts posting photos and videos of rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and US-military-grade equipment openly for sale. Some of these posts included weapons boxed with the Houthi emblem, which reads: 'God is great, Death to America, death to Israel, damnation to the Jews, victory to Islam.' According to an analysis by TTP, of these accounts, 61 per cent (79) were created after Elon Musk took ownership of X (then Twitter) in October 2022, and 59 per cent (77) have engaged in arms trading on the platform in the last six months. One account offered AK-47s for approximately $1,500, while another claimed its Yemeni-made AK-47s were 'better than the Russian' versions. A number of accounts featured banner images of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. In total, TTP tracked over 35 accounts offering what appeared to be US-branded weapons, many of which bore markings such as 'PROPERTY OF US GOVT' or 'NATO'. Among the most frequently listed items were M4 carbines, including models outfitted with 40mm M203 grenade launchers. These rifles, used by the US Army, were shown in high-resolution photos stamped with the Colt's Manufacturing logo and US government markings. In one instance, a seller listed four such M4 carbines and redirected inquiries to WhatsApp. Another seller offered a similar package, including ballistic helmet, night-vision goggles, and grenades, for $10,000. Higher-end rifles, such as the American-made M6 from LWRC International, were also posted. One account offered the M6 for $8,000, calling it 'a weapon that needs no description'. Weapons described as Russian, including RPG-7 launchers and AK-47s, also featured prominently. The account @bdllhyy52468696 offered a Soviet RPG-7 for about $1,800, while another trader posted a 'zero mileage' Russian AK-47. While TTP could not independently verify the origins of these weapons, the US Treasury Department has previously sanctioned Houthi-linked operatives accused of procuring arms from Russia. X officially prohibits the sale or promotion of weapons, as well as any affiliation with terrorist organisations. Yet many of the accounts identified by TTP remain active and appear to be using premium features. Over 50 accounts listed themselves under 'professional categories' such as 'Gun Store', 'Shopping & Retail', and 'Commercial & Industrial'. These designations are typically available only to X Professional users, who also gain access to analytics and other tools. Some of these accounts had 'tip jars' enabled, allowing users to send money, while others posted long-form videos, a feature reserved for X Premium subscribers. In one case, a trader posted a demonstration of an American M249 SAW light machine gun. TTP also found that X may be profiting from these posts. The platform served ads in reply threads to posts offering weapons. Advertisers included the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Tesla accessory vendors, and a publication promoting Donald Trump's domestic policy. The company states it does not allow ads to be placed near unsafe or policy-violating content, but TTP found no evidence of enforcement. More than half of the X accounts linked to WhatsApp Business profiles. These profiles often made little effort to conceal their nature. TTP found 69 WhatsApp accounts linked to arms sales, and 28 of those explicitly stated they were weapons stores. WhatsApp Business allows users to display product catalogues. TTP found 17 accounts that used this feature to showcase guns, including US-stamped equipment. One account displayed four high-powered SVD sniper rifles with a caption in Arabic: 'The heavy caliber has arrived.' Another listed a Glock pistol with a skin showing American landmarks and patriotic slogans. Meta, too, prohibits the sale of firearms on its platforms and says it reviews all WhatsApp catalogue images before they go live. However, TTP's findings suggest that oversight may be lacking. One account listed a catalogue featuring dozens of weapons and linked directly to a Facebook page selling similar arms. Another showed a photo of Houthi leader Mahdi al-Mashat firing a rifle. Meta says it cannot read messages due to end-to-end encryption but does review profiles and business account listings. TTP had reached out to both X and Meta and while the former did not respond, the latter had declined to comment.
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Houthi-linked dealers sell arms on X and WhatsApp, report says
Arms dealers affiliated with Houthi militants in Yemen are using X and Meta platforms to traffic weapons – some US-made – in apparent violation of the social media firms' policies, a report has revealed. The Houthis, an Iran-backed group of rebels who have controlled swathes of Yemen since 2014, are designated as a terrorist organisation by the US, Canada and other countries. The report by the Washington DC-based Tech Transparency Project (TTP), which focuses on accountability for big tech, found Houthi-affiliated arms dealers have been openly operating commercial weapon stores for months, and in some cases years, on both platforms. Meta, which owns WhatsApp, and X are scaling back their content moderation policies at a moment when experts say disinformation and illicit trafficking is on the rise. The 130 Yemen-based X accounts and 67 WhatsApp business accounts identified by TTP offered high-powered rifles, grenade launchers and other military equipment for sale. Many of the arms dealers sold what appeared to be US-produced weapons, some emblazoned with 'Property of US Govt', as well as other western military weapons that were stamped with 'Nato'. The report does not specify the arms dealers' customers but given the high price of the weapons, with some rifles being sold for as much as $10,000 (£7,500), it is likely buyers could be other militants. X and Meta prohibit arms dealing on their platforms. Many of the arms dealers were subscribers to X Premium and users of WhatsApp Business – services that are supposed to be moderated. Katie Paul, the director of TTP, said: 'X and WhatsApp both have policies against weapons sales but they are allowing arms traders linked to a US-designated terrorist group to traffic weapons on their platforms. In some cases these companies may be profiting off violations of their own policies that create risks for US national security.' More than half of the X accounts listed their location as Sana'a, the Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen, and many regularly shared pro-Houthi content. Others sold weapons in containers marked with the Houthi logo, which states 'God is great, death to America, death to Israel, curse be upon the Jews, victory to Islam'. Several accounts identified by TTP were subscribed to X Premium, which allowed them to post extended videos. One account featured an 'unboxing' video of an American M249 SAW, a light machine gun used by the US military. Other accounts used the tip feature, which allows X users to directly send donations to them. X prohibits the use of its platforms by individuals who 'promote [terrorist organisations'] illicit activities', and says it does not allow terrorist groups to use its premium services. Adverts appeared in the comments of posts selling weapons, suggesting X could be making money off the posts. In one instance, X placed an ad for a company selling Tesla accessories under a post where an arms dealer offered an 'all-American' Glock 17 handgun. After Elon Musk bought X in 2022, he laid off about 80% of the company's trust and safety team, which was dedicated to content moderation. A previous report by TTP found that more than 200 accounts affiliated with terrorist and other sanctioned groups had blue ticks and were subscribed to X Premium. A few of the Houthi-linked arms dealers interacted with Musk himself on X. When Musk posted a video of himself firing a Barret .50-caliber sniper rifle in September 2023, three arms dealers replied to him advertising their own guns, which included two AR-15s. X declined to comment on the findings of TTP's investigation when approached by the Guardian. Many of the arms dealers also used WhatsApp business accounts with the 'catalogue' feature, which allows a slideshow of products to be displayed, to showcase a catalogue of weapons. One such account offered dozens of guns, including a Glock pistol wrapped in a custom skin showing images of the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and an American colonial-era soldier with the words 'Preserve, Protect, Defend' written on it. WhatsApp says it reviews business account profiles and checks images before they are added to catalogues. It is unclear why the review process missed the images and accounts, many of which clearly identify themselves as arms dealers and link to Yemeni bricks-and-mortar gun shops in their biographies. A spokesperson for WhatsApp said: 'If we identify or are made aware of US-designated terrorist organisations attempting to use our service, we will take appropriate action – including banning accounts – to comply with our legal obligations.' WhatsApp then banned two accounts sent by the Guardian. It clarified that it did not make profit from the type of accounts in question, but it did not otherwise reply to questions as to how the company's review processes initially missed the arms dealers' accounts. Meta has laid off thousands of employees in the last two years, many dedicated to safety. In January, Meta vowed to roll back content moderation, in what seemed to be an acknowledgment of Donald Trump's complaints of censorship on social media platforms. TTP found that the vast majority of the Houthi-affiliated arms dealers' accounts on X and WhatsApp were created after the layoffs at both companies. Paul said: 'Both Meta and X have the capital, the tools and the human resources to address this problem, but they're not doing so.' Besides content moderation issues, TTP's findings also raised questions about global arms smuggling. Taimur Khan, the head of Gulf regional operations at Conflict Armament Research, said tracing exactly how US-made weapons got to Houthi-held territory was difficult and there were several possible explanations. Some of the weapons, particularly the American M4 rifles, were possibly from stocks supplied to Yemeni government forces before 2014 that were seized by the Houthis when they launched their insurgency. Khan said other US weapons being sold by the accounts appeared 'to have been diverted more recently' and were made for civilian customers rather than soldiers. Those weapons could have been trafficked from the US to Yemen through the Gulf and elsewhere in the region or by other means, he added. Non-American weapons are also smuggled into Yemen along other regional trafficking routes. They are also supplied directly to the Houthis via their allies, such as Iran. Earlier this year, the US imposed sanctions on a Houthi arms smuggling network that was accused of procuring 'tens of millions of dollars'' worth of Russian weapons with the assistance of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. 'The arms that are being advertised in Houthi-controlled areas by weapon dealers, who are at some level linked to the Houthis, reflect all the different vectors of supply in Yemen,' Khan said.
Forbes
28-06-2025
- Forbes
Delete Every App That's On This List—‘Risks Are Too Great'
You should never use these apps on your phone. Republished on June 28 with new national security warnings over use of these apps. Tens of millions of Android and iPhone users are being warned they have installed free apps that leave them at serious risk. Those users could now be sending their sensitive data to companies under the control of the Chinese government. Earlier this week, I reported on the list of iPhone and Android apps issued by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP). These are all VPNs — virtual private networks. Apps which are meant to make users safer and more secure but are doing the very opposite. 'Millions of Americans have downloaded apps that secretly route their internet traffic through Chinese companies,' TTP says. It last reported on this threat in April, and now says 'Apple and Google app stores continue to offer private browsing apps that are surreptitiously owned by Chinese companies… six weeks after they were identified.' A raft of warnings now have followed that report, urging users to delete the apps. 'The risks are too great' to keep them on your phone, warns Top10VPNs Simon Migliano. 'In light of these findings, I strongly urge users to avoid Chinese-owned VPNs altogether." For its part, Google says it is "committed to compliance with applicable sanctions and trade compliance laws. When we locate accounts that may violate these laws, our related policies or Terms of Service, we take appropriate action.' While Apple makes similar assurances, and says it enforces App Store rules but does not differentiate its handling of apps by the location of their developers. It does say where VPNs are concerned that data sharing with third parties is prohibited. vpnMentor's Lisa Taylor says this is 'no surprise,' that "China usually uses different methods to gain other countries' citizen's personal information, most of which are often covered behind a legal front.' And that 'free VPNs are perfect cover up to these kind of operations,' often recording user activity even when they say they don't. BeyondTrust's James Maude agrees. 'If you aren't paying for a product, you are the product. These VPN services are a perfect example of the hidden costs of free apps where users seeking more privacy online are potentially unknowingly feeding data to a foreign nation state out of fear their local coffee shop Wi-Fi is spying on them.' While Black Duck's Vijay Dilwale calls TTP's report 'a sobering wake-up call that VPNs, which claim to protect privacy, can pose very serious security risks, especially when their true ownership is hidden. These apps have access to all user traffic, and when handled by Chinese-based entities, the implications are well beyond individual privacy.' TTP reports that all of the VPNs it has identified "are listed as free in the app stores. But during TTP's May spot check, researchers observed that some of the VPNs offered in-app purchases on top of whatever users get with the 'free' app.' This lack of transparency, Taylor told me, 'is one of the main reasons why we do not recommend free VPNs and we are concerned that with all the content restrictions throughout the world, people are flocking to free VPNs.' Migliano says "true internet freedom and privacy depend on transparency and trust. Yet despite being made aware of glaring privacy failures and opaque corporate structures, Google and Apple continue to permit these high-risk apps on their platforms.' There are also some more serious national security concerns that have been raised. The nature of these apps on devices with obscure geographical locations and ownership is a major issue when it comes to those handling sensitive data or making their locations. Cequence Security's Randolph Barr warns 'there's no question Apple and Google can and should do more to mitigate the national security and privacy risks posed by VPN apps with undisclosed foreign ownership, particularly those tied to hostile nation-states.' Which raises a question around an added layer of app store security. 'While they have frameworks in place for data protection and transparency,' Barr told me, 'enforcement is often inconsistent or delayed, especially when developers obscure their true ownership through complex corporate structures. Conducting deeper vetting requires significant legal, technical, and geopolitical effort, something these platforms have been slow to scale.' This leaves a vacuum others may need to fill. Barr suggests the following mitigating actions, and says if they can't be handled at app store level, they must be done by organizations needing to control such risks: Deepwatch's Chad Cragle has issued the same warning. 'When owned by Chinese companies and hidden behind layers of shell companies, it becomes a serious concern. Apple advocates for protecting our privacy, yet these apps are still accessible. Google?' Cragle says 'they often allow nearly any app on their store. It's time for the platforms to take responsibility and set the example. You can't claim to prioritize privacy if you're letting other parties control the playbook. If they don't properly scrutinize these apps, they're not just passively allowing it—they're helping to create the problem. And let's be honest, this isn't just about privacy; it's about national security, too.' Here is the list of apps from TTP's report: Apple App Store: Google Play Store: The Android app vpnify is also in TTP's report, but has now relocated outside China and has contacted TTP to update its information and to be removed from the report.
