Granted, they most likely won't care, but it's a legitimate attack vector.
Attempted entrapment and abuse of computing systems, which is an uncomfortable way to phrase the WhatsApp scenario, would be quite sufficient cause for a discovery warrant to have WhatsApp reveal the sender’s identity to Apple. Doesn’t mean they’d be found guilty, but WhatsApp will fold a lot sooner than Apple, especially if the warrant is sealed by the court to prevent the sender from deleting any CSAM in their possession.
A hacker would say that’s all contrived nonsense and anyways it’s just SWATting, that’s no big deal. A judge would say that’s a reasonable balance of protecting the sender from being dragged through the mud in the press before being indicted and permitting the abused party (Apple) to pursue a conviction and damages.
I am not your lawyer, this is not legal advice, etc.