Houseparty users claim app has been hacked – but the creators deny breach

As the Houseparty app soars in popularity due to people being in lockdown, users have claimed that they are being hacked via the platform — but its creators have denied a breach.
Many people who have downloaded the video chat app believe their other logins including PayPal, Netflix, Spotify and online-banking accounts have been hacked after they started using Houseparty.
But the app's owner Epic Games – the company behind popular games Fortnite and Gears of War – deny that a breach has taken place.
missus just checked my phone an turns out that house party app has hacked my DMs an asked some random lass to come round mine. suggest everyone deletes it
— keithy 🐏🇬🇧 (@442keith) March 30, 2020
BEWARE! I know I’m not the only one with this problem! A few of my friends have been hacked by @houseparty if you look at the twitter feed! They log into your Spotify from Russia. Get your bank details and can hack it. It’s very simple once you click agree to terms and conditions pic.twitter.com/kBKU7dMUyd
— ellieb (@ellielaurenb) March 30, 2020
been hacked three times off the houseparty app into my spotify🙂🙃 would recommend deleting asap x pic.twitter.com/F9f4yGuH3m
— mary (@marymccaffertyy) March 30, 2020
Actual ca believe House Party has hacked ma bank n netflix wtf hahahahahahaha that app was the highlight of my lockdown
— Carla (@CarlaAghaKhan) March 30, 2020
"We've found no evidence to suggest a link between Houseparty and the compromises of other unrelated accounts," an Epic Games spokesperson said in a statement.
"As a general rule, we suggest all users choose strong passwords when creating online accounts on any platform.
"Use a unique password for each account, and use a password generator or password manager to keep track of passwords, rather than using passwords that are short and simple."
Many people have reported issues they have had after downloading the app and unusual messages they have come across.
Cyber-security specialist Brian Higgins said although there is a rise in cybercrime activity, the hacking may not be a direct link to Houseparty.
We are investigating indications that the recent hacking rumors were spread by a paid commercial smear campaign to harm Houseparty. We are offering a $1,000,000 bounty for the first individual to provide proof of such a campaign to [email protected].
— Houseparty (@houseparty) March 31, 2020
All Houseparty accounts are safe - the service is secure, has never been compromised, and doesn’t collect passwords for other sites.
— Houseparty (@houseparty) March 30, 2020
"There is a rising wave of cybercrime activity directly linked to the global uptake of group social media platforms now that everyone is in isolation," he told the Sun.
"I'd definitely recommend deleting any apps you think may be causing you and your contacts harm.
"However, in this case, I'd give Houseparty a chance to investigate and explain what's happening - they're clearly providing a vital service to people's mental health and wellbeing."
This article was first published on the NZ Herald and is republished here with permission.
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you