Fresh Trouble For WhatsApp? Users’ Mobile Numbers Reported To Be Exposed On Google Search

According to a new report, personal mobile numbers of those using WhatsApp Web have been exposed via indexing on Google Search. Here's all about it.

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New Delhi: While WhatsApp postponed policy changes after being embroiled in controversy regarding them, it still continues to be in fresh trouble over concerns of data and privacy policy. The latest one again a serious case wherein a data violation has been reported with regard to WhatsApp Web. 

According to a new report, personal mobile numbers of those using WhatsApp Web have been exposed via indexing on Google Search.

Many WhatsApp users access the app through its web platform beside the mobile application. 

Independent cybersecurity researcher Rajshekhar Rajaharia shared some screenshots with news agency IANS where indexing of personal mobile numbers of WhatsApp users via Web version on Google Search could be seen.

"The leak is happening via WhatsApp on Web. If someone is using WhatsApp on laptop or on an office PC, the mobile numbers are being indexed on Google Search. These are mobile numbers of individual users, not business numbers," Rajaharia told IANS.

Recently, there were concerns over private group chat links appearing on Google Search. For this, WhatsApp informed that it had asked Google not to index such chats. The platform also advised users not to share group chat links on publicly accessible websites.

The Google indexing invite links can expose private chat groups to all with search activity. The indexed WhatsApp group chat links have been removed from the search engine.

"Despite WhatsApp advising users and telling Google to remove the earlier exposed group chat links, the mobile numbers via WhatsApp Web application are now being indexed on Google Search," Rajaharia revealed.

He further reported that the mobile number leak via WhatsApp web has not been addressed so far by either the messenger app or Google.

After getting a huge backlash, WhatsApp finally decided to postpone its new policy updates until the end of May. Through a blog, the company announced that no changes were going to happen in February and that it was giving more time for people to understand its new policy which it states is mostly meant for businesses.   

"We’re now moving back the date on which people will be asked to review and accept the terms. No one will have their account suspended or deleted on February 8. We're also going to do a lot more to clear up the misinformation around how privacy and security work on WhatsApp. We’ll then go to people gradually to review the policy at their own pace before new business options are available on May 15," the statement read.

(With Agency Inputs)