As WhatsApp is currently facing quite intense scrutiny over its reportedly upcoming data and privacy policy all around the world. However, another user data violation has been reported involving the WhatsApp on Desktop application (Web). It was found that the application allegedly exposed WhatsApp users' mobile numbers through indexing on Google.
WhatsApp users' mobile numbers found online
According to an article by BusinessInsider, while the mobile app is widely being used, so is the desktop version. It was reported by a certain independent cybersecurity researcher known as Rajshekhar Rajaharia showed screenshots with the IANS indexing the personal mobile numbers of certain WhatsApp users via the Web version found on Google Search.
The cybersecurity researcher noted that the leak happened through WhatsApp on Web and if someone is using WhatsApp on the laptop or an office PC, their mobile numbers can be found indexed on Google Search. The leaked mobile numbers are of individual users and not business numbers.
Google index of mobile numbers
Just earlier this week, private group chat links were reportedly available on Google Search. WhatsApp had already asked Google not to index these chats and also advised users not to share their own group chat links to some publicly accessible websites.
Google has indexed the invite links to certain private WhatsApp group chats. This means that anyone can join a number of private group chats with just a simple search. The indexed WhatsApp group chat links have finally been removed from Google.
Mobile numbers found on Google
The cybersecurity researcher then noted that despite WhatsApp both advising users as well as telling Google to ultimately remove the exposed group chats, there are still a number of mobile numbers exposed and indexed on Google Search, according to TechViral. A certain WhatsApp spokesperson gave a statement last March 2020 noting WhatsApp has a "noindex" tag on all of the deep link pages which will reportedly exclude them from indexing according to Google.
The company spokesperson then gave their feedback to Google not to index those chats. Links in which users want to share privately along with people they know and whom they trust should not be posted on any publicly accessible website.
Read Also: iOS vs Android: Which Smartphone Can Take Better Care of User Data?
WhatsApp groups compromised
The issue was initially cropped up in February of last year when the app reverse-engineer known as Jade Wong had found out that Google actually hosts about 470,000 results for a much simpler search of the "chat.whatsapp.com" as a simple part of the URL that easily makes up invites to certain WhatsApp groups.
According to the cybersecurity researcher, the latest leak involving personal mobile numbers through WhatsApp on Web has still not been addressed by either WhatsApp or Google. On Friday, a particular judge bench of the official Delhi High Court was recused from hearing a certain petition against WhatsApp's up and coming data and privacy policy. This plea is expected to be listed before yet another bench and is expected to come for hearing this January 18.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Urian Buenconsejo
